PRESS RELEASE
Day Four: The Salvation Army Comforts Storm Survivors
Atlanta, GA – May 1, 2011 – Reports indicate that at least 340 people died in the violent tornadoes which swept across the southern United States only days ago. Hundreds more are still missing. However, in the face of devastation, countless volunteers and donors have reached out to survivors in their time of greatest need.
Since the outbreak, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services volunteers, staff and officers have provided emotional and spiritual care as well as critical food and hydration to those in need. Prayer, love, a hot meal, a cold cup of water – all are readily available at any one of the mobile feeding units serving throughout the South.
The Salvation Army is currently meeting immediate needs and evaluating long-term recovery efforts in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Additional teams are on standby throughout the South and will be deployed as needed.
Arkansas – Disaster teams are currently providing food, beverages and emotional/spiritual care throughout Garland, Randolph and Jackson Counties. Several areas are facing both tornado and flood damage. As of Friday evening, 3,195 meals and 3,058 drinks had been distributed.
Alabama & Mississippi – 40 disaster mobile feeding units, a shower trailer and emotional/spiritual care teams are serving storm survivors in affected areas. Tens of thousands of meals and beverages have been distributed at multiple locations throughout the region. To learn more about relief efforts including current areas of service, please click here.
Tennessee – Numerous locations across Tennessee are reporting moderate to severe tornado, water and hail damage. Disaster crews are offering food, beverages and emotional/spiritual support in the following areas: Chattanooga, Cleveland, Murfreesboro, Union City, Clarksville, Greenville and Memphis. In Cleveland alone, 2,650 hot meals and 400 food boxes were provided to residents in need. To read more about efforts in Tennessee, please click here.
Virginia - Disaster teams from the Kentucky/Tennessee Division have been mobilized to meet material and spiritual needs of residents and determine next steps in service for affected communities.
Kentucky – Salvation Army disaster personnel continue to meet the needs of storm survivors in Paducah, Henderson and Louisville through food distribution, emotional and spiritual care and evaluation of long-term recovery needs. Disaster leadership is also keeping a watchful eye on rising water levels and making preparations should a flood response be required. To learn more about Kentucky relief efforts, please click here.
Georgia –Feeding and emotional/spiritual care efforts continue throughout Spalding, Floyd and Bartow counties. As of Saturday morning, disaster teams had distributed 2,628 meals in Spalding County, 580 in Floyd County and 250 in Bartow County. Additionally, dozens of clean-up kits were given to survivors in need.
Disaster teams from the Kentucky/Tennessee Division are providing food, beverages and emotional/spiritual support at various locations in northwest Georgia including the hard-hit town of Ringgold.
Text "GIVE" to 80888 and a $10 donation will be added to your cell phone bill. Remember to confirm donation on return text.
The Salvation Army serves in more than 100 countries and provides both immediate emergency assistance and long-term recovery help in the event of any disaster. Funds for The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services come from corporate and private donations given specifically for disaster relief. To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a credit card donation, call 651-746-3400 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks made out to The Salvation Army (designated April 2011 Tornado Outbreak) may be sent to 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113. Click below to make an online donation.
