Belk Partners with The Salvation Army to Help in Hurricane Relief

ALBANY, GEORGIA (October 20, 2018) — Belk Department Stores has partnered with The Salvation Army to help people impacted by Hurricanes Florence and Michael. To date, Belk has donated $200,000 to support The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Relief efforts, including mobile feeding units (canteens) that provide food, hydration, clean-up kits, and hygiene supplies to first responders and survivors.

In Albany, Georgia, Belk also provided The Salvation Army access to the Albany Mall Belk Department Store parking lot as a point of distribution of boxes, cleaning kits, and comfort kits for people who experienced loss from Hurricane Michael. Lines from the Belk Department Store circled for half a mile around the Belk building, throughout the mall parking lot and far down North Westover Boulevard

“We are very thankful to Belk Department Stores for their partnership and willingness to let us use their parking lot to distribute supplies to people in their time of need,” says Lieutenant Rebeca Sullivan, The Salvation Army Corps Officer for Albany, Georgia. “We cannot do the good work we do without the generous support of the public and our corporate partners, like Belk.”

A flurry of thirty volunteers loaded vehicles with supplies as people drove through the distribution point. A few volunteers strategically spaced periodically along the long line of vehicles helped with the paperwork so those in line could get what they needed quickly.

“It’s truly a blessing to help people in their time of need,” says volunteer Faith Champion. “Nobody expected this – there’s so many people that need help.”

Shalisa Green attends The Salvation Army Corps in Albany. She is volunteering with her brothers David and Zye. The fierce hurricane winds split a big pine tree in their front yard — half the tree is still standing, but the other half damaged their car when it fell nearby.

“I feel blessed to be alive,” says Shalisa. “If the tree had fallen the other way it would have hit right where my bedroom is located.”

“I love giving people a little happiness,” says Shalisa with a big smile. “I know how it feels to not have things and benefit from the charity of others.”

“And I love being part of The Salvation Army,” she adds as cars continue to pass by in a one-line parade. “It makes me feel like I matter.”  

How to Help

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.

Donate By Phone:  1-800-725-2769  (1-800-SAL-ARMY)
Donate By Mail: The Salvation Army PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301
             Please designate 2018 Hurricanes – Michael on your check
Donate Online: helpsalvationarmy.org
Donate By Text: Text STORM to 51555 to receive a donation link for easy mobile giving