The Salvation Army of Florida Prepares to Serve 100,000 Meals

(Tampa, Fla.) October 6, 2016 – In an effort to help more Floridians impacted by Hurricane Matthew, The Salvation Army of Florida is increasing its capacity for personnel and equipment by an additional 16 teams.

The teams, which are traveling from as far away as Texas, increases The Salvation Army’s feeding capacity, from 32 to 48 mobile canteens (or kitchens on wheels). This will  expand The Salvation Army’s meal distribution to 100,000 meals a day.

“I’ve been doing emergency management for 20 years,” Smith said. “There is no precedent for the amount of damage that could happen because of the widespread nature of where this storm is headed.”

Smith said The Salvation Army is working with its state and federal partners to help distribute food, water and snacks after the storm makes landfall and where ever there is need.

The Salvation Army of Florida will use all 32 of its mobile canteens, or kitchens on wheels, for the Hurricane Matthew relief and recovery efforts. Along with the mobile kitchens, teams from Texas, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi will also join in the relief efforts in Florida.

Each mobile kitchen is prepared to serve up to 1,500 meals a day.  The Salvation Army also has two semi-truck size field kitchens capable of making more than 20,000 meals in a day.

Because of the catastrophic nature of the storm, and the east coast evacuations, The Salvation Army is prepared to serve more than 100,000 meals a day, Smith said.

The Salvation Army has more than 3,000 trained volunteers and staff in Florida, ready to offer a warm meal, bottled water, coffee or emotional and spiritual care.

In the United States, The Salvation Army began its Emergency Disaster Services ministry during the 1900 Galveston hurricane. The ministry continues to grow and is a vital part of every Salvation Army unit in the country. Today, The Salvation Army utilizes mobile canteens to cook and distribute food to residents in need in the aftermath of a disaster such as a hurricane.

The best way to help survivors and relief workers is to make a financial contribution. Monetary donations allow disaster responders to immediately meet the specific needs of disaster survivors as the need continues to be assessed. 

The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those directly affected by the storm to visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

How people can help:
The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation to the charity of your choice.  Cash is flexible, can be used immediately in response to a crisis, and allows disaster relief organizations to purchase exactly what is needed, when it’s needed. Cash gives relief organizations the means to procure supplies near the affected area, which cuts down on transportation time and cost. Monetary contributions also support local economies and ensure that businesses can operate when relief supplies diminish.

It’s easy to support The Salvation Army’s disaster relief program:

• Donate Online: http://give.salvationarmyusa.org/hurricane_matthew
• Donate By Mail: The Salvation Army  PO BOX 1959  Atlanta, GA 30301 Please designate 'Hurricane Matthew' on all checks.
• Donate By Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
• Donate By Text: Text STORM to 51555 to receive a donation link for easy mobile giving