PRESS RELEASE
Salvation Army Service Continues
Across Storm Ravaged South
Atlanta, GA – May 2, 2011 – Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services personnel continue to meet material, emotional, and spiritual needs across the southern United States. Currently, disaster crews are at work in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky.
After five days of intense service, several locations are scaling back response efforts while some locations hit particularly hard by the storms are still in need of daily feeding and spiritual care.
Alabama & Mississippi – Currently, 40 Salvation Army disaster feeding units and one shower trailer are actively serving in Mississippi and Alabama. Over the last five days, tens of thousands of meals and drinks have been distributed. On Friday and Saturday alone, disaster teams served 30,820 meals and 51,072 drinks. 1,314 people received emotional and spiritual care so crucial to Salvation Army disaster response.
Arkansas – Disaster teams continue to monitor rising water levels which have reached major flood stage in nine counties. At present, one mobile feeding unit is serving Randolph County. Approximately 5,000 meals have been served since Monday.
Georgia –While operations are beginning to wind down, several units are still serving the field. At the request of FEMA, a mobile feeding unit will remain in Spalding County, as will a social service representative in Harold County. Additionally, operations will continue in Catoosa and Walker counties through the end of the week. Teams have served 8,596 meals and 4,195 drinks in Spalding, 720 meals and 1,490 drinks in Rome, and 120 meals and 350 drinks in Cartersville.
Kentucky/Tennessee/Virginia – Disaster operations will diminish in Henderson, Murfreesboro and Clarksville, TN as local resources are once again available for storm survivors. In Chattanooga and Cleveland, TN as well as North Georgia, disaster crews are increasing their meal, beverage and emotional/spiritual care services to keep pace with the needs of communities hit hard by the storms. A strong presence remains in Dyersburg, TN, Greenville, TN, Washington County, VA and Henderson, KY. As of Sunday morning, 800 volunteers had logged 7,000 hours while helping staff serve approximately 14,500 meals throughout the division.
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.
