The Salvation Army’s Disaster Response Transitions to Long-Term Recovery
The Salvation Army’s Disaster Response Transitions to Long-Term Recovery
After Hurricane’s Ian & Fiona
Dallas, TX (November 1, 2022) – For almost an entire month, The Salvation Army has been diligently serving the communities of Puerto Rico and Florida as they confront the devasting impacts of Hurricanes Fiona and Ian.
In partnership with government agencies and other social-service organizations, The Salvation Army has been able to provide necessary resources such as food, water, shelter, clean-up kits, infant supplies, and more. Additionally, The Salvation Army has offered emotional and spiritual care to survivors and first responders as they are committed to serving the whole person before, during, and after a disaster. To date, more than 450 Salvation Army volunteers, employees, and officers have given over 34,500 hours of relief efforts in Florida alone.
“Managing a large disaster response team takes a great deal of coordination,” said Major Bobby Jackson, with The Salvation Army overseeing Emergency Disaster Services in Florida. “Our para-military structure with thousands of officers, soldiers, employees, and volunteers at the ready enables us to quickly and efficiently mobilize large numbers of people, vehicles, equipment, and implement a network of distribution centers and suppliers to address the many needs facing those affected by a disaster.”
The initial goals were to provide meals, hydration, and emotional and spiritual care to hurricane survivors. Now several weeks into the response efforts the organization is moving in supplies to aid in the long-term recovery, such as tarps, clean-up kits, work gloves, large trash bags, laundry detergent, diapers, hygiene kits for various ages, sanitizer, water/Gatorade, and more.
The Salvation Army does all of this while simultaneously maintaining normal operations and services throughout the affected areas in southwest Florida. Food pantries, Angel Tree sign-ups, financial assistance for rent and utilities, and more continue daily. In addition, the Venice office has taken over the programming that would normally occur at the North Port service center, as that location was destroyed in the hurricane.
The Salvation Army’s emergency disaster relief efforts will remain in effect for however long the communities of Puerto Rico and Florida need them. During times of disaster, 100% of designated donations to The Salvation Army are used for immediate response and long-term efforts.
The Salvation Army’s Response (as of October 21 at 3 p.m. ET):
Hurricane Ian:
- The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to serve before, during, and after times of disasters. To date, The Salvation Army is serving in areas including, but not limited to, Port Charlotte, Ft. Myers, Naples, and North Port.
- 457,411 meals, food boxes, and snacks
- 217,963 drinks
- 7,692 cases of water
- 11,778 personal hygiene kits
- 16,905 clean-up kits
- 11,396 infant supplies
- 5,563 blankets
- 14,061 emotional and spiritual care contacts
- More than 450 volunteers, employees, and officers have given 34,764 hours to relief operations
- More than 40 mobile feeding units stationed in Florida (of the more than 70 in surrounding states) were deployed into the Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, and Naples areas to serve the local communities.
- Each unit can feed 500-1,500 people per day
Hurricane Fiona:
- The Salvation Army has already provided more than 25,000 individuals and distributed the following items at its community centers in San Juan, Caguas, Bayamon, Mayaguez, Arecibo, Loiza, Guayama, Humacao, Ponce, Peñuelas, and Fajardo.
- 114,303 prepared meals, food boxes/meal kits, and snacks
- 81,107 drinks
- 4,633 cases of water
- 7,286 personal hygiene kits
- 2,902 ice bags
- 5,078 clean-up kits
- 107 blankets
- 3,294 emotional and spiritual care contacts
- The Salvation Army is also providing financial assistance via vouchers and gift cards, as well as supporting requests from shelters who are serving infants and senior citizens.
How to Help The Salvation Army:
The best way to support survivors is by making a financial contribution, which allows The Salvation Army to meet immediate and long-term needs
- Visit Give.HelpSalvationArmy.org
- Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) or Text STORM to 51555
A media kit with information, photos, and b-roll can be found here.
To learn more about The Salvation Army’s response to Fiona and Ian, visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org
For the latest disaster response information, go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and watch for regular updates on our social media pages at www.facebook.com/salvationarmytexas/ and www.twitter.com/salarmytx
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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.