Knoxville Salvation Army Responds to Wears Valley Fire

March 31, 2022
Eric Short | eric.short@uss.salvationarmy.org | (502) 777-6640

(Wears Valley, TN) – The Salvation Army Knoxville Area Command responded to the Hatcher Mountain/Indigo Lane fire in the Wears Valley, Tennessee area Wednesday afternoon. The Knoxville command responded with their mobile canteen unit and provided meals, drinks, snacks, and spiritual comfort to first responders battling the flames.

Major Cameron Henderson, Knoxville Area Commander, responded with the mobile canteen unit from Knoxville, along with Lt. Melissa Melching of the Sevierville Corps and other volunteers. By 11:00pm ET on Wednesday, they had served 280 meals, 500 bottles of water, 100 Gatorades, and 425 snacks.

“The Salvation Army of Sevierville has been working diligently along with other partners in the community to serve our first responders who are fighting the fires on the front lines,” said Lt. Melching. “The generosity of our community has been overwhelming and we are grateful that we are able to support our firefighters and police officers as they help contain and control the fires,” she added.

The Salvation Army has coordinated with local emergency management officials to setup a fixed feeding site for the time being at Pigeon Forge High School, located at 414 Tiger Drive.

To make a financial donation to this relief effort, please visit https://give.salvationarmykentuckyandtennessee.org/give/400237.

About The Salvation Army
The 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.