Hurricane Irma - Florida Disaster Response Update

Tampa, Florida (October 5, 2017) – The Salvation Army Florida Division continues to serve and support all Salvation Army units in Florida actively involved in the statewide relief effort.  The Salvation Army of Florida has 9 canteens (mobile feeding units) that are serving in two locations in the state of Florida. Other support vehicles including refrigerated vehicles.   

FT. MYERS

The Disaster Response Team worked out of 2 mobile feeding canteens handing out around 11,000 snacks, 595 prepared meals, 1,700 bottled waters, 90 tarps and a variety of baby supplies to people in the LaBelle and Bonita Springs area.    To date, over 170,000 meals have been prepared and served; 8,299 cleaning kits and 4,762 hygiene supplies have been given out; and 132,250 baby supply boxes were distributed in the Fort Myers area.

Majors Tim and Cheryl Gilliam, Area Commanders, are working to meet the recovery efforts of the community and continues to assist those effected through the five social service centers.  

NAPLES - COLLIER COUNTY

The Salvation Army in Collier County has transitioned into the Recovery Phase 1, while distributing food and water to Collier County residents.  In Collier County alone, there are 4 Mobile Canteen (mobile kitchen) Units in use; 2 Cargo Trucks; 4 Trailers; 14 Roving Support Vehicles; 4 UTV’s.

The Salvation Army is serving hot meals in fixed feeding at the following locations: Immokalee (617 W Main Street), Golden Gate (former K-Mart 4955 Golden Gate Pkwy).

Roving Vehicle Operations, providing hot/cold meals, hygiene technology, and baby kits throughout the following areas: Chokoloskee, Naples – Coconut Drive, 6L Farm Road, Hwy 41 & Autoranch, Lockhart & Lake Park, Maples Tree Drive, Charlee States, Hwy 40 & dude Road, Oaktree Drive.

The Salvation Army in Collier County has served over 80,000 hot meals, over 100,000 bottles of water and juice, and has additionally served over 5,000 hygiene and baby kits.

The Salvation Army has made 7,000 emotional and spiritual care contacts. 

Major Dan Proctor, The Salvation Army Naples Area Coordinator will be working with local officials and organizations to assess the needs of the community recovery efforts.

New Update:  The Salvation Army Florida Division has prepared and distributed 928,677 meals; made 15.631 emotional and spiritual care contacts with the support of 4,366 volunteers giving 336,615 service hours from officers, employees, and volunteers.  143,335 baby supply kits were given out and 19,986 cleaning and hygiene kits have been distributed.