The Salvation Army Offers Tornado Relief In Alabama and Mississippi

Jackson, MS (April 29, 2014) – The Salvation Army is currently spread across Mississippi and Alabama serving people in 10 different areas after several twisters tore through the southeast. With possible storms heading that way again Tuesday evening, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services is on standby to deploy more units if necessary. Currently, The Salvation Army has mobile feeding units (canteens) serving hot meals, snacks, and water to Richland, Rankin County, Louisville, Tupelo, and Sandersville, Miss. and Salem, Kimberly, Graysville, Athens, and Franklin County, Ala.

All together, The Salvation Army has served 1,435 meals, 2,412 drinks, and 1,131 snacks. They have sent 15 mobile feeding units to serve communities affected by tornadoes in April 2014.

With more severe weather on its way, The Salvation Army continues to prepare for upcoming disaster while creating plans to best serve those already in the midst of disaster. “We are going to continue to serve the people of the division,” says Thad Hicks, Divisional Disaster Services Director of the Alabama-Louisiana-Mississippi Division. “Regardless of the amount of work we see, we will not step away from the commitment to serve in Christ’s name.”

Below is a list of ongoing Salvation Army Disaster Emergency Service efforts in affected communities.

MISSISSIPPI
Brandon – Immediately following the storms Monday night a mobile feeding unit went to the Home Depot in Brandon, Miss. The Salvation Army served victims and emergency responders until 2:30 a.m. They distributed 198 meals, 1282 snacks, 380 waters, 128 comfort kits, and provided spiritual and emotional support to 58 Mississippians.
The Jackson Corps returned to the Home Depot in Brandon, Miss. Tuesday morning. Throughout the day they have continued providing snacks, water and lunches to responders and victims. Meals have also been individually delivered to specific sites where disaster struck Monday night.

Louisville – The Salvation Army of Columbus provided 31 pizzas for lunch on Tuesday.

Tupelo – Monday night The Salvation Army of Tupelo dispersed 578 meals, 600 drinks, and 300 snacks from their canteen. They continued to serve survivors and emergency responders through Tuesday. 

ALABAMA
Coastal Alabama – Opened its Emergency Shelter Monday night and sheltered 50 people. Tuesday they served dinner at 3:30 pm and their shelter services began at 4 p.m. Shelter residents will receive a hot breakfast on Wednesday morning.

Athens – The Salvation A rmy of Huntsville and Decatur have each deployed a mobile feeding unit (canteen) to Athens providing snacks, food, and water to emergency responders and survivors of the storm.

Kimberly – The Birmingham Area Command has a canteen in Kimberly, Ala. serving food, snacks and drinks.

Graysville – The Birmingham Area Command has a canteen in Graysville, Ala. serving food, snacks and drinks.

Russellville, Franklin County – The Salvation Army of Florence sent a team of two to serve 32 people water, sandwiches and chips. They also provided emotional & spiritual care.

DONATIONS:
• Text “STORM” to 80888 and reply “yes” to donate $10
• By phone at 1-800-725-2769
• Online at https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/uss/april 2014

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The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865. 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 survivors, 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: http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org
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