PRESS RELEASE
Salvation Army Volunteers Bringing Food,
Supplies and Hope Door-to-Door
Minot neighborhoods begin cleanup
with the help of Salvation Army supplies
MINOT, N.D. – July 7, 2011 – Within an hour of flood survivors being let back into their homes to begin cleaning, Salvation Army volunteers had already given out 42 buckets of cleanup supplies and 100 sandwiches.
“People are upbeat,” said David Bussard, Salvation Army mobile kitchen volunteer. “They are greeting us with hugs and handshakes. They are really glad to know there are people here to help them.”
Bussard and his crew make daily trips into neighborhoods on the edge of the evacuation zones. Families are happy to be back in their homes but are disheartened to see the devastation left by river water and backed-up sewage.
Along with food and cleaning supplies, residents will always find a listening ear and calm understanding from Salvation Army volunteers. They have been trained to know what to do, what to say, and what not to say.
“Emotions are raw and very close to the surface,” said Major Donald Kincaid, Minot Salvation Army commander. “It’s important for us to listen to people as they express the pain and frustration they are feeling.”
Along with listening, The Salvation Army offers prayer at a time when people may be asking, “Why me?” Majors Donald and Jane Kincaid are ordained ministers for The Salvation Army and offer prayer for people confused and angry about their crisis. An additional prayer team from Minnesota recently arrived - Majors Manuel and Joann Madrid. They are a mobile prayer team, traveling with the volunteers who are providing food and supplies where needed.
The Salvation Army will continue to drive through neighborhoods as cleanup activities heat up. Residents who would like to pick up their own free cleanup supplies can come to the corner of 4th St. and Western Ave. Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monetary donations can be made in the following ways:
• Donate $10 by texting “MINOT” to 80888 and replying “yes” to the confirmation text. A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your cell phone bill. For terms, see www.igfn.org/t.
• Donate online below or by calling 800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769) or by mailing a check to The Salvation Army, 315 Western Ave., Minot, ND 58701. Be sure to designate your donation “Minot Flood.”
