Salvation Army Emergency Units Respond to Site of Deadly Tornado
ALM Divisional EDS Department |
Columbia, MS (12/24/2014) - The Salvation Army is responding to Southern Mississippi today following yesterday's deadly storm which claimed the life of 4 individuals.
Disaster Units from The Mississippi Gulf Coast area command as well as the McComb Mississippi Salvation Army have responded to the area surrounding Columbia, MS. The responding units are capable of serving 1500 meals per day and reinforcements are available if requested. Thad Hicks, Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army ALM division stated. “We want those who’ve had their lives turned upside down to know we are ready to help no matter what.”
Of the two emergency vehicles responding, one unit will be stationary at the staging area at Columbia Academy on Highway 98 East in Columbia. The other unit will be mobile and responding to the hardest hit areas at the direction of the local emergency management office.
Salvation Army incident commander and Hattiesburg, MS Salvation Army administrator, Major Andrew Gilliam advised "We are here for the community and will do all we can to serve." In addition to the feeding, Salvation Army pastors and volunteers will also be on site throughout the affected areas to offer emotional and spiritual guidance should anyone need someone to listen.
The Salvation Army
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 on The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services work, and how you might be able to help, please go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.
About The Salvation ArmyThe Salvation Army annually helps more than 30 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.