Salvation Army “A Conglomerate of Angels” in Lake Charles

Lake Charles, LA (September 7, 2020) – In the course of their daily rounds, The Salvation Army's canteen crews make a difference in the lives of the people they serve throughout the severely damaged neighborhoods of Lake Charles in the wake of Hurricane Laura. They provide more than simply the much-needed hot meals and cold drinks they serve. They also provide hope and consistent help as they make their rounds day after day.

Barbara and Joseph Prater are two of those who have been impacted by the ever-present help of The Salvation Army in Lake Charles. They have been living in a makeshift room which Joseph boxed in at the back of their house, “so we wouldn't be outside,” said Barbara, a breast cancer survivor who needs to keep cool for her health. They secured a generator and use it to run an air conditioner to cool the room, which they are currently sharing with the rest of their family whose homes are also damaged. “We're sleeping on the floor on mattresses, but we're so grateful for it because some people don't have walls at their house,” said Barbara.

Sometimes they all sit in the shade of their carport to break up the isolation and monotony of the only cool room in the house. “We were just sitting here praying and asking God to send us some angels, and that's exactly what He did. And here they are, back again today, to bless us,” said Barbara. “That's what angels do. That's what The Salvation Army is, it's a conglomerate of angels,” she added. 

The Salvation Army brought hot meals, cold drinks, and snacks that day. The next day, they also brought the clean-up kits that the Praters had requested the day before. “All I've ever known The Salvation Army to do is help people. It's what they do, and I'm so grateful,” said Barbara. 

To date, The Salvation Army has provided the following in Lake Charles in response to Hurricane Laura: 

117,340 Prepared Meals

84,192 Drinks

74,583 Snacks

Emotional & Spiritual Care to 3,068 Individuals

The best way to support the disaster work of The Salvation Army by making a financial donation at www.helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, please go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and watch for regular updates on our social media pages at www.facebook.com/salarmyalm/ and www.twitter.com/salarmyalm.

As natural disasters can increase mental stress, The Salvation Army’s Emotional & Spiritual Care HOPEline remains available. Anyone needing a caring listener – whether because of natural disaster, COVID-19, or the stress of life in general – can call 844-458-HOPE (4673) for support. HOPEline hours are 8 AM to 11 PM CDT, 7 days a week.