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Salvation Army Continuing Zeta Relief Efforts Along Gulf Coast

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Jackson, MS (10/30/2020) — Thousands are still without power after Hurricane Zeta ripped through the Gulf Coast as a Category 2 hurricane Wednesday evening. The Salvation Army units on the MS Gulf Coast and in Citronelle, AL, Houma, LA, Thomasville, AL, and Hattiesburg, MS, are all currently providing disaster relief services to those affected by Hurricane Zeta.

The most extensive of these relief efforts are occurring on the MS Gulf Coast. The MS Gulf Coast Area Command is serving hot meals from their canteen in front of The Salvation Army Family Store in Gulfport again this evening, as well as serving in Hancock County at the Bayside Fire Department, and will have a mobile feeding unit roaming in Waveland. The Salvation Army Pascagoula Corps is providing hot meals to residents of a flooded community in St. Martin. They will be handing out the meals from the parking lot of the St. Martin Community Center.

“We are so blessed to be able to serve this community and provide not only a hot meal but also comfort and hope during this trying time,” said Lt. Carla Lawson, Pascagoula Corps Officer. “Our community is strong and resilient; we will get through this together,” she continued.

The Salvation Army will sustain ongoing communication with emergency management officials regarding ongoing needs throughout the recovery period following hurricane Zeta.

Donations to support the disaster relief work of The Salvation Army can be made at www.helpsalvationarmy.org, or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

For the latest information on The Salvation Army’s response to Hurricane Zeta and other 2020 hurricanes, please visit www.disaster.salvationarmy.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 Mississippi Gulf Coast Area Command Distributes Food to Seniors

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The Salvation Army of the MS Gulf Coast is serving meals throughout the community as well as preparing food packages for local seniors.

Majors Anita and Bradley Caldwell, Salvation Army Area Commanders, took surveys earlier this week—checking with families throughout the community to get an estimate of how much food they had at home.

“We began Sunday as a trial to see what the turnout would be and if we could properly practice social distancing while distributing food. It went well. Most families only had an average of three to five days worth of food at home,” said Major Bradley Caldwell.

The Army has been able to serve over 100 meals a day to the Gulf Coast community and is delivering meals to senior individuals who aren’t able to procure food from the Kroc Center as they normally would. Social distancing is being taken into account during food deliveries, with staff knocking on the door, leaving meals in a visible place, and moving away from the door to wait and ensure that individuals receive their meal.

“Two women stopped by and took 30 grocery packages back to their senior residents. They were very thankful, and it was a blessing that they were aware of their resident’s needs,” stated Major Anita Caldwell.

“One resident even told one of the women that the hotdogs she received in her grocery package were the best hot dogs she’s had in a long time,” Major Anita Caldwell added.

Pascagoula, Lucedale, and Gulfport Salvation Army locations are providing food packages by appointment, and the Biloxi Kroc Center is providing prepared meals. Though the Army is currently focusing on seniors within the community, officers suspect other demographics will need help as the effects of COVID-19 are more prevalent in their area.

“We know several people who have said they have one more week of pay. When that money is gone, they won’t have resources to provide food for themselves. When that time comes, we’re not sure how we’ll be called upon to make a difference,” stated Major Bradley Caldwell. “We’re working to do what we can as we’re being asked to help by local government officials. We’re limiting our focus to seniors in the neighborhood for now because we don’t know what responsibilities we may have to take on in the coming days,” he added.

To help The Salvation Army continue to serve those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, make your secure online donation today.

The Salvation Army Stands Ready to Respond to Gordon

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Jackson, MS— The Salvation Army Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi (ALM) Division stands ready to respond to Tropical Storm Gordon, which is predicted to turn into a minimal hurricane before making landfall tonight along the north-central Gulf Coast. This weather event is expected to impact all three states in the ALM Division, with the areas of most concern being Mobile, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and New Orleans. All Salvation Army ALM units remain on standby for potential activation to support affected areas as the need arises.

The storm is expected to make landfall in Hancock County, Mississippi. Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and MEMA Director Greg Michel will be holding a press conference at Hancock County EMA this afternoon and MS Gulf Coast Area Commanders, Majors Bradley and Anita Caldwell, will be in attendance representing The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army MS Gulf Coast Area Command has all canteens (mobile feeding units) prepared and ready to go out as needed.

Major Tom Richmond, Area Commander for The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama said, “If we get what they’re predicting, we will probably get some flooding on the outer islands, Dauphin Island. So, we’ll wait until the storm passes and then we’ll move our canteens out to that area.”  All Coastal Alabama Salvation Army canteens are prepared and waiting on standby with their crews ready to go. The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama’s homeless shelter and kitchen is opening at 2:00 PM today.

The Salvation Army of Greater New Orleans is prepared as well, with all canteens ready and on standby to go wherever they might be needed. The city of New Orleans has shut down operations throughout the city, which means most businesses are closed today. Salvation Army Center of Hope shelter residents are staying in place throughout the day as requested by the city. “The City of New Orleans has requested The Salvation Army to house the homeless and invite these individuals into our shelter for refuge during the storm. We will have the shelter open throughout the day tomorrow as well, we certainly wouldn’t want to put anyone out into the weather,” said Major Ernest Hull, Salvation Army of Greater New Orleans Area Commander. The main concern in New Orleans is the flooding. There are no mandatory evacuations at this time, but there are some voluntary evacuations for those areas outside of the levee system.

According to Bill Feist, Divisional Disaster Liaison for The Salvation Army ALM Division, “The Salvation Army has liaisons at the State Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) in Mississippi and Louisiana which both activated at 7:00 AM this morning. Liaisons act as ambassadors for The Salvation Army to State Emergency Management helping both share information with each other.  The Liaisons will remain at the State EOCs working twelve hour shifts until the emergency passes.”

The Salvation Army is continuing to watch as Gordon progresses toward the Gulf Coast and is ready to serve as needed with food, drinks, shelter, and emotional and spiritual support.

To donate to The Salvation Army’s disaster relief efforts, go to helpsalvationarmy.org.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need without discrimination for more than 135 years in the U.S. More than 25 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: 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. The Salvation Army tracks the level of need across the country with the Human Needs Index (HumanNeedsIndex.org). The Salvation Army has served survivors of every major national disaster since 1900. The Salvation Army does not place an administrative fee on disaster donations. During emergency disasters, 100 percent of designated gifts are used to support specific relief efforts. For more information, go to www.SalvationArmyUSA.org or follow on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS.