The Salvation Army Southwest Divisional EDS Responding in the Wake of Gila Bend Flooding
Scott Johnson | scott.johnson@usw.salvationarmy.org
PHOENIX (Aug. 19, 2021) – At the request of the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management and Maricopa COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster), The Salvation Army Southwest Divisional Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) have been onsite in Gila Bend, Arizona, since Sunday, Aug. 15, following devastating monsoon flooding that sadly claimed two lives and had more than 80 families experience significant damage or complete loss of their homes.
The Salvation Army has been coordinating with the American Red Cross to provide meals, beverages, snacks, and emotional and spiritual care to displaced families staying in hotels, families unable to leave their homes, volunteers, Red Cross personnel, and first responders.
Through Aug. 18, the Army had served 454 people and provided 382 meals.
Maricopa County officials also asked the Army has also taken on a donations management role, setting up a temporary distribution center for all the generous in-kind gifts donated by people in the community, which currently totals more than 800 items.
Future donations are encouraged in the form of monetary gifts, which will allow EDS to purchase exactly what is needed in the community at any given time. One hundred percent of monetary donations will go to serve the need in Gila Bend.
Donations can be made by visiting SalvationArmySouthwest.org, texting “GilaBend” to 51555, or by mailing a check specifically designated for the Army’s Gila Bend recovery to: The Salvation Army, PO Box 52177, Phoenix, AZ 85072.
About The Salvation ArmyThe Salvation Army annually helps more than 30 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.