Day 10 of Tornado Relief Efforts: The Greater Chattanooga Salvation Army’s Budget Gets Tighter as Services Expand

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – April 21, 2020 – The Salvation Army has been doing relief work for the past seven weeks. Assisting in the Middle Tennessee Tornadoes, to COVID-19, and now the Easter Tornadoes in the Tennessee Valley, The Salvation Army has been called upon to serve more despite its budget being depleted. 

“We have never been so strapped financially,” states Major Mark Smith, Salvation Army Area Commander.  “We like many other companies and organizations have been affected by COVID 19 and had to furlough some employees who work at centers that have been mandated to be closed, while yet other employees are having to put in overtime to care for those affected by COVID-19 and the tornadoes that touched down over a week ago in our community. Our services have increased as well.”

The Salvation Army cares for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of people each day. At times of disasters, it is no different.  Since the Easter Tornadoes swept through the Tennessee Valley, The Salvation Army has served over 17,000 meals, thousands of drinks and snacks, and provided 668 emotional and spiritual care in Catoosa County Georgia, Hamilton and Bradley counties in Tennessee.

The Salvation Army has been feeding those housed by the American Red Cross in area hotels as well as feeding emergency relief workers at command posts and serving neighbors as they continue clean-up efforts. 

In addition to tornado disaster efforts, we will continue to provide ongoing care in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, to the un-housed community and meet needs through our social services office with food and utility assistance.  To contribute to The Salvation Army’s efforts visit helpsalvationarmy.org.

For more information please contact Kimberly George at 423-503-1801 or Kimberly.George@uss.salvationarmy.org.