'Sometimes Hope Looks like a Can of Formula' - The Salvation Army Continues Hurricane Laura Relief Efforts in Lake Charles

August 31, 2020
Michelle Hartfield | michelle.hartfield@uss.salvationarmy.org

'Sometimes Hope Looks like a Can of Formula' - The Salvation Army Continues Hurricane Laura Relief Efforts in Lake Charles

Lake Charles, LA (August 31, 2020) - Liz Chattin has truly embraced the motto of The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services. “Hope is on the Way”. While serving on a canteen truck, distributing food in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Liz met the Aleman family. Mike Aleman and Isabel Ledesma are both deaf, and their baby, Lia, is severely allergic to dairy. Without transportation and with no stores yet open within walking distance, they were desperate to find formula for Lia. 

Liz was able to find diapers and wipes and a baby hygiene kit in The Salvation Army warehouse, and she made it her personal mission to find formula for Lia. With none available locally, she was able to coordinate with a Salvation Army officer to have soy formula brought from Texas. 

“This is my first disaster deployment,” said Liz. “I thought I was prepared, but I wasn’t. It just hit me so hard to find this community that felt abandoned. We tried to find everything they needed. I work with children and babies every day at home. I just had to find this family some soy formula.” 

Mike and Isabel were ecstatic to receive the baby supplies.  “Thank you,” they said over and over again, “Just….thank you.” For this family, hope looked like food for their baby, and The Salvation Army will continue to provide hope to everyone affected by Hurricane Laura. 

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.

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The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
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