The Salvation Army Continues to Serve Thousands Without Power
02/02/2009
OKLAHOMA CITY (February 2, 2009) - Hundreds of electricians are working to restore power back to over 157,000 individuals and businesses still without electricity in Arkansas. Approximately 90 Cities and Counties are under boil orders in Arkansas due to many treatment plants still without power. In Oklahoma, it is estimated less than 3,000 homes and businesses remain without power.
The Salvation Army is meeting the need of storm victims in many communities throughout Arkansas and Oklahoma:
- Oklahoma: The Salvation Army provided 22 pallets of water to Adair County. The Stilwell Service Unit, manned by volunteers, provided food boxes to several families and provided lodging for a person on dialysis.
- Northwest Arkansas: Through Sunday, 8,567 meals, 19.255 drinks, and 10,046 snacks have been served. Over 800 have been provided lodging and showers. Additionally, blankets, comfort kits and infant supplies have been provided to those affected by the storm. Approximately 1,000 meals, two times a day, are expected to be served daily until further notice. The Northwest Arkansas Area Command is serving Benton, Madison, and Washington counties in Arkansas. Over 6,000 hours have been put in by officers, employees, and volunteers and close to 700 individuals have been provided emotional and spiritual care.
- Mountain Home, AR: The Salvation Army of Mountain Home, Arkansas is busy serving Baxter and Marion counties. Officers, employees and volunteers have served 7,500 meals, over 9,000 drinks and close to 4,000 snacks. Hundreds of comfort kits, infant supplies, cases of water, and blankets have been provided to those affected by the ice storm that devastated several small towns and rural areas due to accumulations of over One and one-half inches of ice on trees, roadways, and power lines. One hundred eighty (180) families and individual have been provided lodging. Emergency services are expected to continue for some time. Hundreds of hours have been put in by volunteers, employees, and officers to ensure the needs of individuals and families are being met. Since January 30, officers, employees and volunteers have provided 2,210 hours to help those in need.
- Jonesboro, AR: The Salvation Army of Jonesboro, Arkansas is serving multiple small communities in Clay, Craighead, Greene, and Poinsett counties. Nine shelters are providing a warm place to sleep as well as other basic necessities. They are serving approximately 350 - 400 meals a day.
- Service Units in Pocahontas, Harrison, and Mountain View Arkansas have provided food boxes, blankets and helped provide lodging to many who remain without power and have no other resources. In Stilwell, Oklahoma, food boxes have been provided to several families and lodging has been provided to a person on dialysis. In Harrison, AR, they have distributed over 4,000 lbs. of food to 107 families (176 adults and 75 children.) In Mountain View, Arkansas, the service unit is working with the First United Methodist Church to provide meals and shelter.
The Salvation Army will continue to work with partners (other relief agencies, emergency management at state and local levels, and other government entities) to ensure the needs of the thousands impacted by the storm are met.
Financial donations are needed to support relief efforts. The Salvation Army asks those who want to help the individual and families affected by the Ice Storm of January 2009 to visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and designate Arkansas and Oklahoma Ice Storms. Monetary donations will ensure The Salvation Army can meet the most immediate needs of those impacted by the storm.