The Salvation Army Serves 700 Meals as Case Management Begins in West, Texas

Dallas, TX (April 23, 2013) – The newly established Joint Assistance Center (JAC) was a hive of activity on Monday as returning West residents registered for assistance and case work with a number of agencies including The Salvation Army.

The Disaster Canteen (mobile kitchen) from The Salvation Army in Abilene was stationed at the JAC, located at 2547 Jerry Mashek Drive in West, serving meals and refreshments throughout the day. Other units were again located at the Command Center and Community Center, with one canteen roving through the most affected neighborhoods.

Social Services staff from The Salvation Army in Waco met with a steady stream of people seeking assistance at the JAC, which will be open from 8:30 AM-7:00 PM, Monday-Friday. Lisa Wood, who has lived in West for five years with her husband and elderly mother, Shirley Reed, patiently waited in line to meet with a case manager on Monday morning. “We gathered what we could and evacuated immediately after the explosion on Wednesday night,” she explained. We’ve been staying in a hotel in Waco and my husband finally got to see the house for the first time this morning. The windows are all blown out but it’s still standing,” said Lisa, smiling. “We are so grateful that you are here to help.”

Monday saw a significant increase in the number of residents served as many returned to West for the first time since being evacuated. The Salvation Army served 700 meals on Monday alone and has provided 3,645 meals, 3,205 drinks, and 1,743 snacks, in the 5 days since the explosion.

Volunteers are needed at The Salvation Army warehouse, located at 101 Apron Rd in Waco. The warehouse, open each day from 8:00 AM-7:00 PM, has been designated as the main donation collection and distribution site in the area. There has been an incredible outpouring of support by fellow Texans and beyond for the community of West, and as a result The Salvation Army is not able to accept any additional in-kind donations. If you would like to volunteer at the warehouse, or for more information, please call (254) 379-2430.

Financial donations can be made in the following ways to support The Salvation Army’s ongoing response in West:
• MAIL – please send checks to The Salvation Army, PO Box 36607, Dallas, TX 75235
• PHONE at 1-800-SAL-ARMY
• ONLINE at www.salvationarmytexas.org

For more information about The Salvation Army’s disaster response effort, please go to www.Facebook.com/SalvationArmyTexas, www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org, or www.salvationarmytexas.org.

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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.