• Mark Jones

The Salvation Army Responds to Tornadoes in Hattiesburg, MS

Hattiesburg, MS. (February 10, 2013) - The Salvation Army has begun responding in Hattiesburg, Mississippi following reports of significant damage from a tornado. Early estimates indicate that over 200 homes were damaged throughout the city.

Disaster response teams from Hattiesburg are on the scene assessing the need to serve. Requests have already been received from local Emergency Management agencies for Salvation Army feeding units to respond in support of assessment and clean up efforts in Hattiesburg.

Three mobile feeding units from across Mississippi will arrive in Hattiesburg on Monday morning to supplement the service of the Hattiesburg Corps of The Salvation Army.

Two units from Jackson will depart at 6 A.M.. for several days of support to neighborhoods affected by today’s storms. Additional units from the Mississippi Gulf Coast and McComb, Miss. will also depart early Monday for service in the Hattiesburg area. In all five feeding units will be active in the Hattiesburg area on Monday.

Each unit will arrive fully stocked and prepared to serve several hundred meals at lunch and dinner

Emotional and spiritual care officers will also be available to provide support to residents.

“Throughout the day on Monday, The Salvation Army will be ready to respond as new pockets of need continue to present themselves,” stated Bill Feist, Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army’s ALM Division.  “Our prayer is that this weather system will leave little impact, but we are prepared to respond as needed. The public has entrusted The Salvation Army with the resources to minister to communities in need.”

Financial donations are needed to support disaster relief efforts.  The Salvation Army asks those who want to help to visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and designate 2013 Mississippi Tornado Outbreak.  Donors may text “STORM” to 80888.  Checks may be made out to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 100339, Atlanta, GA 30384-0339.  Monetary donations will ensure The Salvation Army can meet the most immediate needs of those impacted by disaster.

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 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year. The Salvation Army provides food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, and outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing, shelter and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or send a check to your local Salvation Army earmarked for disaster relief.