There To Serve In Life's Storms

Hurricane Issac, most recently "Tropical Storm Issac" steadily chugs towards the Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana coast line. News coverage reports that its path is strangely similar to that of Hurricane Katrina which devastated the state of Louisiana in 2005. 

That Salvation Army is prepared and ready to serve the residents of these states who may be affected by the storm. Disaster Relief Service has been a mainstay of the many programs and services rendered by The Salvation Army to those in need. The Salvation Army's very first foray into disaster relief in the United States came after the massive hurricane that destroyed Galveston, TX in 1900 and killed over 5,000 people. 

For the past 112 years The Salvation Army has been serving the victims of natural and man-made disasters. As of right now, The Salvation Army is staging 24 mobile feeding units called "Canteens" in Mississippi, each capable of serving 1,000 meals a day. Also, a massive 54' mobile field kitchen (shown above), capable of serving up to 10,000 meals a day is being readied for deployment. These units will be deployed across Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana as needed once the full impact of the storm is known. 

In addition to feeding, The Salvation Army is prepared to provide: 
· Clean-up kits containing brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning supplies 
· Hygiene kits 
· Drinking water 
· Shower units 
· First-aid supplies 
· Emotional/spiritual care 

The Salvation Army encourages all residents of areas in the storm’s path to prepare an Emergency supply kit and stay informed to all warnings. Disaster response professionals recommend having a three to five day supply of food and water for each individual of your family as well as flashlights, medication, and battery powered radio. 
For more information regarding The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Service program please visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org. 

The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by the 2012 Hurricane Season to visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

Donors may also contribute $10 via their phone bill by text messaging the word “Storm” to 80888, and confirming the donation with the word,“Yes.”

Checks may be made out to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301. Please designate “2012 Hurricane Season” on all checks.

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 128 years in the United States. Nearly 29 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. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.