• Philip Burn

The Salvation Army Responds To West Texas Wild Fires

Dallas, TX - The Salvation Army provided assistance and relief to residents and first responders across West Texas as numerous grass fires fueled by high winds scorched more than 120,000 acres of dry grassland.

It is reported that 80 homes were destroyed as several cities were under evacuation orders throughout an area that stretched from Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle to Midland, almost 250 miles South in the Permian Basin.

In Amarillo, The Salvation Army went on alert Sunday afternoon to provide basic needs for families affected by the raging fires. The Disaster Canteen was on standby to support first responders with water and snacks and the emergency shelter began to accept families needing housing. Donations of clothing and household items are being accepted at all Salvation Army facilities in Amarillo.

The Rapid Response Unit and Disaster Canteen from Lubbock drove two hours east to serve people in the cities of Matador and Dickens. Salvation Army staff and volunteers provided 60 meals in Matador, while 30-40 firefighters and policemen who had been fighting the blaze for more than five hours received water and food from the Disaster Canteen in Dickens.

The Salvation Army will continue to provide support as long as it is needed.

Monetary donations are welcome and can be made by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or online at www.salvationarmyusa.org.

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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. 83 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.