Lutz, Fla. (June 26, 2012) – On Tuesday (June 26), The Salvation Army
placed seven canteens (mobile kitchens) on stand-by, making preparations
to respond to flooding in regions affected by Tropical Storm Debby.
Local Salvation Army assessment teams are mobilizing to determine specific needs of those affected across Florida.
Disaster teams from Clay, Marion, Alachua, Citrus counties as well as
Jacksonville, Tallahassee and North Central Florida Outpost (Madison
county) are being assembled to support these affected areas.
“From Naples to Panama City, Debby is definitely making its mark on
Florida,” said Kevin Smith, Emergency Disaster Services director for The
Salvation Army of Florida. “It’s amazing what this storm has done.”
Smith said Salvation Army canteens are mobilizing and getting supplies together to make the journey to disaster affected areas.
“We are thankful that the storm hasn’t intensified, but we are
concerned for the impact of the rising water and increase tides and how
that will affect those along the rivers across Florida,” Smith said.
In the short-term, The Salvation Army will focus primarily on the
immediate needs of disaster survivors and first-responders, providing
food and hydration for impacted individuals and families.
For more information about how The Salvation Army is responding to
Tropical Storm Debby and other disasters, please log on to
www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org. You can also follow @salarmyeds,
@salarmyfla, @salarmyflaeds or search “Salvation Army Florida Division”
on Facebook to access the latest information.
The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by
disaster to visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
Monetary donations are needed to meet survivors’ most immediate needs. A
$100 donation can feed a family of four for two days, provide two cases
of drinking water and one household cleanup kit, containing brooms,
mops, buckets and cleaning supplies.
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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 130 years in the United States. Nearly
30 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. 82 cents
of every dollar spent is used to carry out those services in 5,000
communities nationwide. For more information, go to
www.salvationarmyusa.org.