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Meals, Refreshment and Prayers Delivered in Lake Charles

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Lake Charles, Louisiana (October 14, 2020) – Twelve disaster response units and Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) teams hit the streets of Lake Charles, on day four of service, after Hurricane Delta tore through the area. In addition to serving meals, snacks and drinks, staff and volunteers had the opportunity to pray with more than 360 individuals on Tuesday.

Rapid Response Units and mobile kitchens, staffed by teams from The Salvation Army Texas and Arkansas/Oklahoma Divisions (AOK) and the Southern Baptist Texas Convention, delivered 7,434 meals, 5,602 drinks, and 2,817 snacks in Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis Parish on Tuesday. The fleet of disaster response vehicles and personnel from different cities, states, and organizations have quickly galvanized into an effective team under the leadership of the Incident Management Team from The Salvation Army in Texas.

“Our Incident Management Team from Texas has worked together on a number of large-scale response efforts this summer and get right to work like a well-oiled machine,” said Alvin Migues, The Salvation Army EDS Director in Texas. “It has been good to also collaborate with our colleagues from the AOK Division and long-time partners in disaster relief, the Southern Baptist Texas Convention. This group has come together very quickly and is a great example of how The Salvation Army’s disaster response and Incident Command model should function. They are doing a great job of serving the basic needs of the Lake Charles community, with many neighborhoods still without power.”

As of Tuesday, all Salvation Army units have been assigned permanent feeding stations at the following locations:

  • Sulphur – 110 N. Cities Services Hwy, Sulphur (Iberia Bank)
  • Sulphur – Quick Shop Store – 404 W. Napoleon Street, Sulphur, LA
  • Iowa – 105 East Miller Ave., Iowa (Next to Old Subway)
  • Lake Charles – Lowes, 2800 Derek Dr, Lake Charles, LA 70607
  • Lake Charles – Roving -Van Buren and McKinley Sub-Division, Lake Charles
  • Northeast Lake Charles – 2231 Moeling Street, Lake Charles (Old Peggy’s Superette)
  • Moss Bluff – Walmart 260 Sam Houston Jones Parkway Moss Bluff, La.
  • West Lake- 909 Wehrt West Lake, La
  • Lacassine- Lacassine High School 409 Algonia Ave. Lacassine, La.
  • Lake Charles- Sunlight Manor 343 Goos St. Lake Charles, La.
  • Lake Arthur- City Hall 102 Arthur Ave. Lake Arthur, La.  Welsh Baptist Church – 500 S. Adams Welsh, La.

Another important aspect of any recovery effort is coordination with local emergency management teams and partners. “We have been actively working with VOAD, the United Way, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, and Little Caesar’s Pizza.,” said Migues. “As a result of these conversations The Salvation Army will be supporting a Point of Distribution (POD) at the Lake Charles Civic Center on Thursday and Friday (October 15-16, 2020) distributing food boxes, water, hygiene kits, and tarps.”

The Salvation Army has provided 21,559 meals, 16,762 drinks, 9,993 snacks, and made 1,378 Emotional and Spiritual Care contacts since Saturday, October 10 in the Lake Charles area.

For the latest information on The Salvation Army response efforts go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org. To support ongoing Hurricane Delta relief efforts please visit www.HelpSalvationArmy.org.

 

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’s Southern Territory Providing Meals and Shelter For Hurricane Delta Relief

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Jackson, MS (October 11, 2020) – Hurricane Delta made landfall overnight Friday, October 9th, near the town of Creole, Louisiana, a city in Cameron Parish with 660 residents, as a Category 2 hurricane. Creole is approximately 12 miles east, where Hurricane Laura made landfall six weeks ago. Thankfully, Hurricane Delta quickly weakened into a tropical depression and very few areas were affected.

The Salvation Army’s focus for service delivery will be Southwest Louisiana in Lake Charles and Lafayette, where there are widespread power outages. Power is being restored quickly going from 650,000 outages to 340,000 within the past 24 hours. Twenty-three shelters opened in Louisiana for emergency shelter from Delta with an overnight population of 7,419. As of 4 PM CDT on 10-10-2020, there were ten shelters open with 882 residents.

Twenty-six mobile feeding units were deployed to support service delivery in Lake Charles, Lafayette, Alexandria, and Monroe, LA. One Texas IMAT with disaster relief equipment deployed to Lake Charles on Saturday, October 10th, 2020, and one Florida IMAT with five mobile feeding units is deploying to Lafayette, Louisiana, today, October 11th, 2020. Approximately 84,000 meals are prepared for initial distribution in southwest Louisiana and other affected areas. Service delivery is predicted to last one week.

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.

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 donate to The Salvation Army’s disaster relief efforts, visit HelpSalvationArmy.org.

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.

Hurricane Delta Weakens to Tropical Storm | The Salvation Army Moves in to Serve Neighbors in Need

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JACKSON, Miss. (October 10, 2020) – Hurricane Delta made landfall overnight near Creole, Louisiana, a city in Cameron Parish with 660 residents, as a Category 2 hurricane. Creole is approximately 12 miles east of where Category 4 Hurricane Laura made landfall only six weeks ago.

As of 7 AM CDT today, Delta is a tropical storm moving north/northeast near 16 mph and is expected to continue to weaken into a tropical depression later today. A motion toward the northeast is expected to begin later today and continue through Sunday night. On the forecast track, Delta’s center should move across northeastern Louisiana this morning and then across northern Mississippi and into the Tennessee Valley later today and Sunday.

There 593,308 power outages throughout Louisiana and 90,852 power outages in Mississippi. Delta has produced a vast amount of rainfall in Louisiana, with one location reporting up to 17 inches of rain. It is expected to create an additional 2-5 inches of rain, with isolated storm totals of 10 inches. These rainfall amounts will lead to flash flooding. Delta is forecast to exit the ALM Division in the northwest corner of Alabama Sunday morning.

Thirty-two mobile feeding units are on standby to respond throughout the ALM Division. Approximately 70,000 meals are ready or being prepared for initial distribution in southwest Louisiana and other affected areas. An Incident Management Team with disaster relief equipment is now heading to Lake Charles from Beaumont, Texas, and has prepped 12,000 meals to fill immediate requests. The Salvation Army ALM Division monitors tropical storm Delta closely as we prepare to serve our neighbors in need.

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.

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 donate to The Salvation Army’s disaster relief efforts, visit HelpSalvationArmy.org.

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.

Meals and Mobile Feeding Units Are Prepped to Serve Throughout Louisiana for Hurricane Delta Relief

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JACKSON, Miss. (October 9, 2020) As of 7 AM CDT, Hurricane Delta is a Category 3 Hurricane. Louisiana and Mississippi experienced tornado warnings overnight. No damage has been reported. Slow weakening is expected to begin as Delta approaches the northern Gulf Coast later today, with rapid decline expected after the center moves inland. Landfall is expected along the southwest Louisiana coast later this afternoon or evening. Hurricane-force winds and dangerous storm surge flooding are expected Friday afternoon and evening along the southwest and south-central Louisiana coast. Hurricane Delta is expected to produce 5 to 10 inches of rain, with isolated maximum totals of 15 inches, southwest into south-central Louisiana. The system is expected to move north, north-east crossing Mississippi, and then exiting the ALM Division in the northwest corner of Alabama early Sunday morning.

Thirty-two mobile feeding units are on standby to respond throughout the ALM Division. Approximately 70,000 meals are ready or being prepared for initial distribution in southwest Louisiana and other affected areas. An Incident Management Team with disaster relief equipment is staging in Beaumont, Texas, Friday evening for rapid deployment to Lake Charles, Louisiana, on Saturday, October 10, 2020. There are 12,000 meals on standby in Beaumont to fill immediate requests. The Salvation Army ALM Division monitors Hurricane Delta closely as we prepare to serve our neighbors in need.

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.
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 donate to The Salvation Army’s disaster relief efforts, visit HelpSalvationArmy.org.

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 Is Continuing to Prepare As Hurricane Delta Moves Toward Lousiana Landfall

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JACKSON, Miss. (October 8, 2020) – Category 3 Hurricane Delta has made its way through the Gulf of Mexico. It’s now making its way towards Southeast Louisiana, which is still recovering from Hurricane Laura’s effects, and The Salvation Army is prepared to respond as needed. Disaster relief equipment and personnel are on standby throughout Louisiana, Texas, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Disaster response teams and 12 mobile feeding units from Texas, prepared to serve 35,000 meals, are prepping ahead of anticipated relief efforts. Incident Management Teams and mobile feeding units are being formed throughout the ALM Division to report to areas in need.

“Hurricane Delta comes with its challenges because we are still recovering from Hurricane’s Laura and Sally. Emergency Disaster Services are continuing coordination calls with state partners. Potentially impacted Corps and Service Centers are also working closely with their local Emergency Management. We are currently identifying staging areas for potentially impacted areas throughout Louisiana and Mississippi,” stated Terry Lightheart, Emergency Disaster Services Director of The Salvation Army Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi Division.
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.

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 donate to The Salvation Army’s disaster relief efforts, visit HelpSalvationArmy.org.

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 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.

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.