• Amanda Waters

Salvation Army Disaster Teams Deployed to Wichita to Provide Aid and Comfort

Wichita, KS (April 16, 2012) - The Salvation Army mobilized quickly in the aftermath of a tornado that swept through Wichita, Kansas Saturday night, causing significant damage but reportedly no major injuries. Three emergency disaster mobile feeding kitchens (canteens) were being deployed to the area to provide food, snacks and cold drinks, as well as spiritual and emotional support, to first responders, survivors and clean-up crews. The canteens, from The Salvation Army's Wichita, El Dorado and Pittsburg locations, are each capable of feeding thousands of people per day. Preliminary assessments by Wichita officials estimated the loss in the community to be as much as $283 million. At least ten tornadoes were reported in Kansas, mostly in rural areas. Damage was also reported in Rice and Saline counties.

Giving:
The best way to help tornado survivors and rescue workers is to make a financial donation. Monetary donations allow disaster responders to immediately meet the specific needs of disaster survivors. To donate by credit card, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or go to www.salvationarmyusa.org. Checks may be mailed to The Salvation Army, 3637 Broadway, Kansas City, Missouri, 64111. Donors may also text "Shelter" to 80888 to give $10. Please be sure to designate your gift “Kansas Tornadoes”

* A oneâ??time donation of $10 will be billed to your mobile phone bill. Messaging & data rates may apply. Donations are collected for The Salvation Army by mobilecause.com. Reply STOP to 80888 to stop. Reply HELP to 80888 for help. For terms, see www.igfn.org/t.

Due to emergency conditions, The Salvation Army cannot guarantee that gifts of household goods or clothing donated now will be sent to disaster areas. In times of disaster, we fulfill household needs from existing, pre-sorted stock. Please, continue to donate gently-used household goods to your local Salvation Army—you help your community today and may help with disaster relief needs tomorrow. 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 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities nationwide.
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