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The Salvation Army's Response to May 22 North Minneapolis Tornado
Minneapolis, MN - May 28, 2011 - The Salvation Army is committed to serving tornado survivors in North Minneapolis. In the four days since the disaster struck on May 22, The Salvation Army has provided financial assistance and basic necessities for 1,012 households, representing 4,238 people. In addition it has served food/drink via mobile kitchens to 3,800 people.
As of May 27, all Salvation Army tornado relief services are being offered exclusively at its North Minneapolis service center located at 2024 N. Lyndale Ave.
In the days since the tornado, The Salvation Army has provided more than $121,000 in recovery assistance. This includes more than $70,000 worth of department store gift cards, clothing and gas vouchers have been provided to survivors, along with 57,000 pounds of nonperishable food and hygiene supplies.
The Salvation Army plans to concentrate its future financial resources on families who are now homeless because of this disaster. Services may include rental assistance, furniture replacement and general household goods, as resources allow.
Salvation Army mobile kitchens have been on duty and on call since the night of the storm. So far, 3,300 people have received hot meals, snacks and beverages from Salvation Army mobile kitchens.
Meal service at N. Freemont and N. Dowling avenues will continue through Memorial Day.
As of May 25, there was no word on when the City of Minneapolis would complete its official assessment of those left homeless by the tornados, yet The Salvation Army remains committed to providing families with clothing and tangible goods as resources allow. Spiritual and emotional care continues to be a priority, along with connecting families with other service providers.
The Salvation Army Worship and Service Center at 2024 N. Lyndale Ave. in Minneapolis will be the hub of recovery activity for weeks and months to come. The Salvation Army has been serving North Minneapolis families since 1897 and will continue to make God’s presence felt in the neighborhood for years to come.
The Salvation Army North Minneapolis service center is the busiest center for Salvation Army services of basic necessities and food shelf. The tornado has increased that need and multiplied the urgency for help.
Current Financial Situation:
- The Salvation Army needs a minimum of $1 million to provide housing assistance for an estimated 300 to 400 families left homeless by the disaster. Relocation services may include but are not limited to or inclusive of the following per household: Maximum of $1,500 for damage deposit and/or first month’s rent; $300 in furniture and household goods assistance; $250 in moving expenses; gift-in-kind of bedding, food, and other supplies with a handling cost of $100. The total expected expense per household would be approximately $2,150.
- As of May 26 the estimated donations to The Salvation Army for metro storm relief are $120,000. It is expected that expenses have exceeded that threshold.
- As of May 26 the estimated donations to The Salvation Army for metro storm relief are $120,000. It is expected that expenses have exceeded that threshold.
- As of May 26, The Salvation Army has exhausted its monetary donations and will likely deplete all tangible good supplies by the end of the service day on May 27.
- Once The Salvation Army gets the official list of damaged homes and family names from the city, we will concentrate on providing services to the families and individuals forced to relocate.
- It costs an estimated $75/hour per mobile kitchen for The Salvation Army to respond to disasters by providing critical services to survivors. Costs are estimated at $7,500 for the estimated 100 hours of mobile kitchen service.
- Many Salvation Army staff responding to tornado survivors are working overtime this week, adding significant costs to Salvation Army response efforts.
Tornado response in Minneapolis to-date (through Thursday, May 26)
- 3,800 people received food and drink from mobile kitchens
- Another 4,238 people (1,012 households) received other assistance (clothing, food, gift cards, etc.) at The Salvation Army service center and shared resource centers
- 43,000 pounds of food shelf items distributed
- 14,000 pounds of hygiene products distributed
- $45,000 in clothing vouchers given
- $20,000 worth of gift cards distributed
- More than $5,000 in miscellaneous assistance
Monetary donations:
Financial contributions can be made online at www.thesalarmy.org, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or by sending a check to The Salvation Army, 2445 Prior Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113 designated "metro storm."
A $10 contribution can be made by texting "BLESSING" to 85944, the charge will be added to your cell phone bill (Normal data and messaging rates may apply.)
Donations of used Household Goods and Clothing:
Due to the high expense and time demands associated with delivering your gently-used household goods and clothing (gifts-in-kind), The Salvation cannot guarantee that any individual gifts-in-kind donated now will be sent to the disaster area. In time of disaster, our stores fill these needs from existing, pre-sorted stock. By continuing to donate gently-used household goods to your local Salvation Army store, you not only help your community, you help us prepare for future disaster relief needs. To find your nearest drop-off location, please go to www.satruck.org.
About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. 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. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
