Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama Serving Those Affected by Hurricane Sally

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MOBILE, Ala. (September 21, 2020) – The Salvation Army is prepping canteens for today’s feedings to serve those affected by Hurricane Sally. An Incident Management Team and eight mobile feeding units have been deployed from all over the state to provide food, hydration, and spiritual care for those impacted by Hurricane Sally in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Service is being provided in Mobile, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Foley. Each canteen can serve up to 1,500 meals per day and spiritual care is provided for many dealing with the emotional pain Sally has left behind.

To date, The Salvation Army has provided the following throughout Coastal Alabama in response to Hurricane Sally:

Served meals – 14,277

Drinks – 6,926

Snacks – 10,464

As natural disasters can increase mental stress, The Salvation Army’s Emotional & Spiritual Care HOPEline remains available.  Anyone needing a caring listener – whether because of natural disaster, COVID-19, or the stress of life in general – can call 844-458-HOPE (4673) for support.

The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation to the charity of your choice. Monetary contributions also support local economies and ensure that businesses can operate when relief supplies diminish.

Mail: Mail checks to The Salvation Army, P.O. BOX 1959, Atlanta, GA 30301

Please designate ‘Hurricane Season 2020 Disaster Relief’ OR the specific name of disaster (i.e., Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Sally, etc.) on all checks.

Online Donations: helpsalvationarmy.org

Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY

For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, follow the social feed on Twitter at @salarmyeds or visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org. To support The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama, visit HelpSalvationArmy.org. For more information on how The Salvation Army is serving in Coastal Alabama, contact Captain Trey Jones at 251-438-1625.

 

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter Visits Salvation Army Hurricane Laura Relief Operations

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Lake Charles, LA (September 16, 2020)— Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter, State Senator Ronnie Johns, and United Way of Southwest Louisiana President Denise Durel visited The Salvation Army’s Hurricane Laura incident command site on Tuesday. Mayor Hunter said he wanted to tour the operation to say thank you to The Salvation Army for all of the good work he’s witnessed the organization doing in his community since the storm.

“The Salvation Army was some of the first people that were on the ground here, helping right after the storm when it was so needed. I’m a local guy and work with the local affiliate, but you don’t quite appreciate the national organization until something like this happens. You have all these assets that you’re able to mobilize and get here,” said Hunter. “Thank you so much for what you’re doing,” he added.

The local Salvation Army facilities, including the home of Lake Charles corps officers, Lieutenants Thomas and LeAnna Marion, were severely damaged in the storm. But their focus remains on helping their community. “The Salvation Army of Southwest Louisiana greatly appreciates the support we get from our local leaders and Mayor Nic Hunter. He is always there to back us up when we respond,” said Lt. Thomas Marion.

To date, The Salvation Army has provided 293,954 meals in response to Hurricane Laura throughout affected areas of Louisiana and Texas. 210,814 of those meals were served in the Lake Charles area.  Services are ongoing in the Lake Charles area, where approximately 49,000 are still without power.

The best way to support the disaster work of The Salvation Army is by making a financial donation at www.helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, please go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and watch for regular updates on our social media pages at www.facebook.com/LakeCharlesCorps, www.facebook.com/salarmyalm/ and www.twitter.com/salarmyalm.

As natural disasters can increase mental stress, The Salvation Army’s Emotional & Spiritual Care HOPEline remains available. Anyone needing a caring listener – whether because of natural disaster, COVID-19, or the stress of life in general – can call 844-458-HOPE (4673) for support. HOPEline hours are 8 AM to 11 PM CDT, 7 days a week.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

Salvation Army Preparing For Sally While Actively Providing Laura Relief

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Lake Charles, Louisiana (September 13, 2020)— The Salvation Army Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi Division is preparing for a major emergency disaster response for the second time in less than a month as Tropical Storm Sally threatens the gulf coast—even as active Hurricane Laura relief is currently ongoing in Lake Charles. According to the National Weather Service, Tropical Storm Sally is currently projected to strengthen into a hurricane on Monday and then move slowly northward near the southeastern Louisiana or Mississippi coasts through Tuesday.

The need in Laura-ravaged Lake Charles is still great, where The Salvation Army is continuing to serve an average of 9,000-10,000 meals each day. To date, The Salvation Army has provided over 260,000 meals in response to Hurricane Laura throughout affected areas of Louisiana and Texas—nearly 200,000 of those meals were provided in Lake Charles alone.

The oncoming threat of Sally is causing The Salvation Army to reassess the placement of already thin-stretched resources and personnel in its Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi Division. “Helping people at their point of need is what The Salvation Army does best. Nobody wants back-to-back disasters, but we will be there to help whenever and wherever disaster strikes,” said Terry Lightheart, Salvation Army ALM Divisional Emergency Disaster Services Director.

The best way to support the disaster work of The Salvation Army is by making a financial donation at www.helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, please go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and watch for regular updates on our social media pages at www.facebook.com/LakeCharlesCorps, www.facebook.com/salarmyalm/ and www.twitter.com/salarmyalm.

As natural disasters can increase mental stress, The Salvation Army’s Emotional & Spiritual Care HOPEline remains available. Anyone needing a caring listener – whether because of natural disaster, COVID-19, or the stress of life in general – can call 844-458-HOPE (4673) for support. HOPEline hours are 8 AM to 11 PM CDT, 7 days a week.

 

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

Salvation Army Remembers 9/11 Amid Hurricane Laura Relief

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Lake Charles, LA (September 12, 2020)—As The Salvation Army continues to serve Hurricane Laura ravaged Lake Charles, the significance of yesterday’s date, 9/11, was remembered. In the daily morning canteen meeting, there was recognition of former military and first-responders who are currently serving on canteen crews, and a moment of silence was observed in remembrance of the events of that terrible day 19 years ago.

The day was especially meaningful for one Salvation Army volunteer, retired Army Major Ell White, who is currently serving on a Salvation Army canteen crew providing Hurricane Laura relief in the form of hot meals served daily in DeQuincy, Louisiana. “This day, being the 19th anniversary of 9/11, that shook up a lot of families in the military because that started a continuing trend of training, deploying, training, deploying, and during that time we lost a lot of good men and women. So, coming here and serving with The Salvation Army, helping individuals that are in a vulnerable situation, was a no-brainer,” said White, who makes it a point to wear his fatigues when he serves, even through the oppressive heat.

White says that God told him to get involved with The Salvation Army, and specifically with Lt. Bryan Farrington, who is the corps officer of The Salvation Army Montgomery, Alabama Corps, and is currently serving as Operations Chief for The Salvation Army’s Hurricane Laura relief efforts in Lake Charles. “I told him the vision God gave me about working with disaster and working disaster areas, how I worked with human trafficking victims and my military background. I told him I have a whole wealth of experience and knowledge and a skill set that I’ll be willing to share by volunteering my services,” said White. “Ever since then, we have been the best of friends. Doing things in the community like feeding the homeless in Montgomery and doing various projects together,” he continued.

White says the purpose of his service here is to glorify God. “Some people have come through here and been a little depressed, but when they leave, you give them a different spin and give them a little hope,” said White. “Yesterday was a powerful day because a couple of families came and asked me to pray for them. Even though I’m dressed like a soldier and I look like a soldier, minus the beard and locks, of course, and that was a wonderful thing. Just to know that although I look like a soldier they knew I was a man of God,” he continued.

Ell White wants people in the rest of the country to be aware of the depth of pain and suffering that people are dealing with in the wake of Hurricane Laura, and that The Salvation Army is here to help ease that pain. “I was talking to one lady yesterday and she lost her husband to COVID-19 right as Hurricane Laura was happening. To lose your husband and then go through Hurricane Laura,” White said. “Then, I talked to another family, and they lost their father right as Hurricane Laura hit. It’s like they almost want to give up. And I’m telling them, no, don’t give up. God’s going to pull you through this, because if He saw you through the storm, He’s going to see you through this storm, too. But don’t you give up,” he continued.

As natural disasters can increase mental stress, The Salvation Army’s Emotional & Spiritual Care HOPEline remains available. Anyone needing a caring listener – whether because of natural disaster, COVID-19, or the stress of life in general – can call 844-458-HOPE (4673) for support. HOPEline hours are 8 AM to 11 PM CDT, 7 days a week.

The best way to support the disaster work of The Salvation Army is by making a financial donation at www.helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, please go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and watch for regular updates on our social media pages at www.facebook.com/LakeCharlesCorps, www.facebook.com/salarmyalm/ and www.twitter.com/salarmyalm.

 

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

Salvation Army Constantly Assessing & Meeting Needs in Lake Charles

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Lake Charles, Lousiana (September 10, 2020)—Today marks two full weeks since Hurricane Laura made landfall as a category 4 hurricane that nearly devastated Lake Charles, Louisiana. With the majority of the area still without electricity and a city-wide boil water advisory in place, the extreme heat and dehydration are a major concern. Add to that the fact that people can’t cook for themselves in homes that lack power and drinkable water, and most homes in the area are in some state of ruin, with or without electricity. Ensuring that everyone is well fed, hydrated, and cared for is The Salvation Army’s primary mission here.

 

The Salvation Army has 24 mobile feeding units (canteens) serving two meals a day to the Lake Charles area every day. Every morning, the canteen location list is posted to the Lake Charles Salvation Army Facebook page and shared with partner agencies and local news stations, so people know where they can go to receive a free hot meal. In addition to these static locations, there are also canteens roving through neighborhoods to serve people where they are. Assessing the latest information to determine which areas need the most service is a daily task that is taken very seriously.

 

“With power coming back on to different areas, we’ve had to shift the places where we’re feeding. But power is still out in much of the city, so we’ve shifted dynamics on where we are serving to keep meeting the most need and doing the most good,” said Lt. Bryan Farrington, Operations Chief for The Salvation Army’s Hurricane Laura relief efforts in Lake Charles. “The need is still extremely great here. We’ll keep adjusting and filling needs, making sure the people have plenty of food and proper hydration to keep going,” Farrington added.

 

The best way to support the disaster work of The Salvation Army is by making a financial donation at www.helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, please go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and watch for regular updates on our social media pages at www.facebook.com/LakeCharlesCorps, www.facebook.com/salarmyalm/ and www.twitter.com/salarmyalm.

 

As natural disasters can increase mental stress, The Salvation Army’s Emotional & Spiritual Care HOPEline remains available. Anyone needing a caring listener – whether because of natural disaster, COVID-19, or the stress of life in general – can call 844-458-HOPE (4673) for support. HOPEline hours are 8 AM to 11 PM CDT, 7 days a week.

 

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

Salvation Army Disaster Relief In Full Swing in Lake Charles

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Lake Charles, LA (September 9, 2020)— Disaster relief operations are in full swing in what is now the second week of The Salvation Army’s response to Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles. There are currently 24 mobile feeding units (canteens) in active service throughout the Lake Charles area, providing hot meals, cold drinks, snacks, and more to anyone in need. Salvation Army canteen crews from all over the South have come in to help support the effort. “On behalf of The Salvation Army, we are grateful to the public for allowing us to serve them. It’s what we do best—attending to the overall wellness of the people we serve by offering emotional and spiritual care as well as providing for their physical needs,” said Major Christopher Thornhill, Incident Commander for The Salvation Army Hurricane Laura Incident Command Team.

 

To date, The Salvation Army has provided the following in Lake Charles in response to Hurricane Laura:

• Prepared Meals: 130,789

• Drinks: 90,925

• Snacks: 79,081

• Emotional & Spiritual Care to 4,245 Individuals

 

As natural disasters can increase mental stress, The Salvation Army’s Emotional & Spiritual Care HOPEline remains available. Anyone needing a caring listener – whether because of natural disaster, COVID-19, or the stress of life in general – can call 844-458-HOPE (4673) for support. HOPEline hours are 8 AM to 11 PM CDT, 7 days a week.

 

The best way to support the disaster work of The Salvation Army is by making a financial donation at www.helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, please go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and watch for regular updates on our social media pages at www.facebook.com/LakeCharlesCorps, www.facebook.com/salarmyalm/ and www.twitter.com/salarmyalm.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

Territorial Commanders Visit Salvation Army Hurricane Laura Relief Sites

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Lake Charles, LA (September 4, 2020) – As relief efforts for Hurricane Laura continue, Territorial Commanders of The Salvation Army Southern Territory, Commissioners Willis and Barbara Howell visited portions of Texas and south Louisiana this week.

The Commissioners toured The Salvation Army Hurricane Laura Command Center in Lake Charles to visit and pray with canteen workers and command staff. They offered words of encouragement and praised the efforts of the men and women on the ground giving their all. They also toured the living quarters and corps buildings for the Lake Charles Corps, both of which sustained significant damage.

The following morning, the Commissioners toured surrounding areas to view storm damage and pray with residents struggling to process so much devastation. They were quick to jump in with canteen crews and aid with distributing meals and water to residents in Lake Charles as well as pray for residents struggling to process what has happened around them. They stressed the fact that The Salvation Army will still be present in this community long after the initial recovery period is over.

Major Robert Lyle, the Emotional and Spiritual Care Officer for the Hurricane Laura Command Team said, “It was great to have our territorial leadership by our side. As an officer, I appreciate seeing them lead by example.”

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

Salvation Army “A Conglomerate of Angels” in Lake Charles

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Lake Charles, LA (September 7, 2020) – In the course of their daily rounds, The Salvation Army’s canteen crews make a difference in the lives of the people they serve throughout the severely damaged neighborhoods of Lake Charles in the wake of Hurricane Laura. They provide more than simply the much-needed hot meals and cold drinks they serve. They also provide hope and consistent help as they make their rounds day after day.

Barbara and Joseph Prater are two of those who have been impacted by the ever-present help of The Salvation Army in Lake Charles. They have been living in a makeshift room which Joseph boxed in at the back of their house, “so we wouldn’t be outside,” said Barbara, a breast cancer survivor who needs to keep cool for her health. They secured a generator and use it to run an air conditioner to cool the room, which they are currently sharing with the rest of their family whose homes are also damaged. “We’re sleeping on the floor on mattresses, but we’re so grateful for it because some people don’t have walls at their house,” said Barbara.

Sometimes they all sit in the shade of their carport to break up the isolation and monotony of the only cool room in the house. “We were just sitting here praying and asking God to send us some angels, and that’s exactly what He did. And here they are, back again today, to bless us,” said Barbara. “That’s what angels do. That’s what The Salvation Army is, it’s a conglomerate of angels,” she added.

The Salvation Army brought hot meals, cold drinks, and snacks that day. The next day, they also brought the clean-up kits that the Praters had requested the day before. “All I’ve ever known The Salvation Army to do is help people. It’s what they do, and I’m so grateful,” said Barbara.

To date, The Salvation Army has provided the following in Lake Charles in response to Hurricane Laura:

117,340 Prepared Meals

84,192 Drinks

74,583 Snacks

Emotional & Spiritual Care to 3,068 Individuals

The best way to support the disaster work of The Salvation Army by making a financial donation at www.helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, please go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and watch for regular updates on our social media pages at www.facebook.com/salarmyalm/ and www.twitter.com/salarmyalm.

As natural disasters can increase mental stress, The Salvation Army’s Emotional & Spiritual Care HOPEline remains available. Anyone needing a caring listener – whether because of natural disaster, COVID-19, or the stress of life in general – can call 844-458-HOPE (4673) for support. HOPEline hours are 8 AM to 11 PM CDT, 7 days a week.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

Lake Charles Community Joins The Salvation Army in Hurricane Laura Relief

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Lake Charles (September 6, 2020) – The Salvation Army has been on the ground in Lake Charles for over a week now, serving those affected by Hurricane Laura. In turn, many Lake Charles residents have found ways to thank and care for these tireless Salvation Army staff and volunteers.

One canteen worker, Bianca Mosley-Greene, parks her canteen near a convenience store every day. She and her partner have several work crews who regularly come for lunches. One crew leader, stating he just wanted them to know they are appreciated, has started bringing them both a red bull in the morning to keep up their energy.

Another Salvation Army truck driver, Denise Rembert, received permission to set up each day outside a house in a particularly hard-hit neighborhood. In addition to allowing the truck to park in their yard, the owners come out each evening, after donning masks and gloves, and help serve meals. They also load up meals to distribute to neighbors unable to come to the site.

Ms. Mary Dejeam has lived in Lake Charles for over 50 years. Despite extensive damage to her house and vehicles, her cheerful spirit cannot be vanquished. When Salvation Army volunteers brought her cleaning supplies and water, she wound up ministering to them. “When you serve God,” Ms. Mary said, “You give. And even when you’re tired, God is not going to leave you.”

Other community members have given financially at the Lake Charles Command Center. “We’ve seen you out in the community,” said one such donor, who wished to remain anonymous. “And we wanted to give back and help with what The Salvation Army is doing here.”

The Lake Charles community remains resilient in the face of extreme devastation. The Salvation Army will remain by their side, partners in a recovery effort, determined to see it through.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

The Salvation Army Addresses The Invisible Effects of Natural Disasters and Trauma in Lake Charles, LA

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Lake Charles, LA (September 5, 2020) – Food, water, and meeting physical needs are incredibly important parts of The Salvation Army’s efforts to provide relief to those affected by Hurricane Laura. But, Emotional and Spiritual Care (ESC) remain an essential part of total disaster response.

The Salvation Army helps treat the emotional stress and trauma of disaster victims and first responders with emotional support and spiritual comfort. Whether it’s lending a listening ear, offering a hug, joining together in prayer, or simply being present, Salvation Army counselors are ready to help.

Major Robert Lyle leads the ESC efforts for Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles. In addition to his time meeting with survivors, Major Lyle has also asked the canteen drivers to bring him lists of prayer requests each day. Each and every name on this list is prayed over that night by his team.

Alonzo Hill, one of the canteen members who traveled up from Baton Rouge LA to serve Lake Charles is committed to this effort. “When I’m out there with people, I tell them the resources and systems we have in place to help them are great, but our main purpose is to lift you and your family up in prayer. I just want them to know the love of Jesus because of how He has changed my life.”

This wholistic approach to recovery allows The Salvation Army to meet survivors where they need it most. Many effects of a natural disaster are long reaching and invisible to the naked eye. The Salvation Army aims to support these needs while also meeting the more visible needs and will continue to do so as long as they are needed.

To date, The Salvation Army has provided:

78,829 Prepared Meals

57,761 Drinks

47,936 Snacks

1,243 Emotional and Spiritual Care visits

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

CenterPoint Energy Donates Fresh Fruit to The Salvation Army Hurricane Laura Relief in Lake Charles, LA

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Lake Chrles, LA (September 3, 2020) –As recovery efforts continue after Hurricane Laura, The Salvation Army has been blessed to receive donations from community partners in the area.

CenterPoint Energy out of Houston, TX had stockpiled supplies through their Emergency Operation Procedures in anticipation of Hurricane Laura potentially making landfall in Texas. When they wound up with a surplus, they searched for a way to distribute their food.

Theresa Sauls, Corporate Community Relations for CenterPoint, said, “We had this food and didn’t want it to be wasted, so we reached out to The Salvation Army. We are so grateful for what y’all are doing.”

CenterPoint was able to donate 20 cases each of apples, bananas, and oranges. This fresh fruit will be distributed on The Salvation Army canteens. Captain Trey Jones, Incident Commander of The Salvation Army’s Hurricane Laura Response in Lake Charles responded, “With produce being hard to come by and many people having no method of refrigeration, this fruit will be such a blessing. We are thankful for Centerpoint Energy and glad they trusted us to get the food out to the public.”

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

The Salvation Army Providing Hurricane Laura Disaster Relief Throughout Louisiana

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Lake Charles, LA (September 2, 2020)—The Salvation Army is serving throughout the state of Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. Disaster relief services are ongoing in Alexandria, Monroe, and Lake Charles, as official Salvation Army crews are manning mobile feeding units providing meals, drinks, snacks, personal hygiene kits, and cleaning supplies to anyone in need.

The largest effort is in the Lake Charles area, where The Salvation Army has set up a full IMAT team and currently has a total of 21 mobile feeding units [canteens] serving the area. The feeding operations in Lake Charles are supported by Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, who have volunteered 20 personnel from Mississippi for 14 days to serve by preparing hot meals on The Salvation Army’s Field Kitchen which are then distributed by the canteens. Canteen service locations are posted every day on the Salvation Army Lake Charles Facebook page as well as on The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services website at www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org. In addition to the canteens at set locations, the feeding units are also roving the neighborhoods, finding people in need where they are, and offering much-needed help and hope.

Emotional and spiritual care is also a large aspect of The Salvation Army’s disaster relief services. Canteen workers in Lake Charles are actively taking prayer requests from the people they serve and handing them over to the Emotional and Spiritual Care [ESC] Officer, Major Robert Lyle, who ensures that every request is prayed for. The Salvation Army’s Emotional & Spiritual Care HOPEline (844-458-HOPE) is also available every day between 8 AM to 11 PM CDT to anyone needing a caring listener.

To date, The Salvation Army has provided the following disaster relief in response to Hurricane Laura throughout the state of Louisiana:

• 35,556 Meals

• 33,030 Drinks

• 21,438 Snacks

• 99 Cleanup kits (per kit)

• 45 Cleaning Supplies / Tools (per order)

• 471 Personal Hygiene Kits

• 109 Food Boxes

• Emotional and Spiritual Care to 521 Individuals

The best way to support the disaster work of The Salvation Army by making a financial donation at www.helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, please go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and watch for regular updates on our social media pages at www.facebook.com/salarmyalm/ and www.twitter.com/salarmyalm.

As natural disasters can increase mental stress, The Salvation Army’s Emotional & Spiritual Care HOPEline remains available. Anyone needing a caring listener – whether because of natural disaster, COVID-19, or the stress of life in general – can call 844-458-HOPE (4673) for support. HOPEline hours are 8 AM to 11 PM CDT, 7 days a week.