A Plan Beyond Our Own: Georgia Canteen Brings Hope in Sarasota, Florida

Sarasota, Florida (October 20, 2024) - Deployed from The Salvation Army’s Kroc Center in Atlanta, Georgia, Chay and Julia joined a team responding to Hurricane Milton in Sarasota, Florida. Their canteen has served at various locations throughout the county, however, most recently they have been serving outside a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recovery center. While survivors wait in line for help with their FEMA applications, they can enjoy a hot meal, snacks, and water provided by The Salvation Army canteen.

The canteen stays busy, serving over a thousand meals a day. In rare instances of downtime, Chay and Julia take the opportunity to connect with the survivors – whether by talking, listening, or offering them a hug. During a particularly quiet moment, Julia noticed a woman leaving the assistance center, walking tiredly toward her car.

From the window of the canteen, Julia asked, “May we get you a hot meal?”

The woman, Mary, looked at them and simply said, “I do need to eat.”

The crew could hear the burden Hurricane Milton had placed on her in her voice; the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty of what tomorrow would bring.

As Chay and Julia prepared Mary’s meal, she began to share how she planned to check on some of her elderly friends who had weathered the storm. Hearing this, the canteen crew prepared several additional meals for Mary so she could take them back to those she was caring for.

Mary eventually asked if they knew where she could find some tarps. With a comforting smile, Julia said, “We have some. How many do you need?”

Without immediately responding, Mary burst into tears. She’d been searching everywhere for tarps yet couldn’t even find one. Julia hopped out of the canteen and asked if she could give Mary a hug. The two embraced as Mary exclaimed, “Praise God! Praise God!” Her voice filled with joy and relief. The two then prayed together.

Amid the chaos and crisis wrought by Hurricane Milton, Chay and Julia found themselves exactly where God intended them to be – a moment of beautiful realization of His plan in action.