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Released 1 September 2008
Evacuees, volunteers, emergency response
workers focus of relief efforts
Alexandria, Va. (August 31, 2008) - The Salvation Army has served nearly
100,000 meals already throughout the gulf coast area as a result of Hurricane
Gustav. This includes food service for evacuees, volunteers and other first
responders who are helping in the evacuation. The Salvation Army has more than
100 mobile feeding units, two 54' mobile kitchens and multiple fixed feeding
sites at its Corps and other outposts throughout the region. The Army's total
current feeding capability from Texas to Florida is more than 560,000 meals per
day.
On Sunday, The Army set up feeding sites on evacuation routes, including at
the Alabama Welcome Center on Interstate 20/59. And, it provided lunch and
dinner for 300 bus drivers at a site near Hattiesburg, MS. It has multiple
other locations open through Texas and the surrounding states.
In addition, The Army has staging areas in Hattiesburg and Tyler, TX to
support the Gulf Coast. Volunteers, staff and vehicles are converging on those
locations to wait for deployment with other equipment and supplies.
The Army also has a number of shelters open throughout the region, including
five shelters operating in Texas, with others potentially available.
"Right now, The Salvation Army is fulfilling its mission to serve by helping
evacuees, volunteers and response workers in the Gulf Coast area who are
preparing for this very dangerous storm" said Major Gene Hogg, Divisional
Secretary for Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. "People need to heed the
warning of the government and get out of the way of this hurricane."
In addition to feeding, sheltering and evacuation, The Salvation Army is
prepared to provide:
• Clean-up kits containing brooms, mops, buckets
and cleaning supplies
• Hygiene kits
• Drinking water
• Shower units
• First-aid supplies
• Missing
persons support through The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network
(www.satern.org) and
• Emotional/spiritual care
The Salvation Army encourages all residents of areas in Gustav's path to
prepare an emergency supply kit, an evacuation plan and stay informed to all
warnings and evacuation orders. Disaster response professionals recommend
having a three-to-five day supply of food and water for each member of your
family as well as flashlights, medication, and battery powered radio.
The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by Hurricane
Gustav to visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Monetary
donations are needed to meet survivors' most immediate needs. A $100 donation
will feed a family of four for two days and will provide two cases of drinking
water and one household cleanup kit (containing brooms, mops, buckets and
cleaning supplies). The Salvation Army currently is not accepting donations of
clothing and furniture for storm victims; however, please continue supporting
your local Salvation Army thrift store and the much needed programs your
in-kind gifts support.
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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church
established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without
discrimination for 128 years in the United States. Nearly 29 million Americans
receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array
of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for
disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill,
clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged
children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those
services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.