• Dulcinea Cuellar Kimrey

The Salvation Army of Manatee County called to serve first responders after deadly home invasion

Bradenton, Fla. (June 9, 2015) – The Salvation Army of Manatee County is providing meals and spiritual support to first responders and family members after a deadly shooting in the Southern Parkway area of Bradenton. A Salvation Army canteen, or kitchen on wheels, was dispatched to the scene around 9:30 Thursday morning to serve coffee, water and meals to first responders who were investigating the crime. Staff members and a volunteer also provided emotional and spiritual care to family members and neighbors who sought comfort under the awning.

“We prayed with the mother, best friend and sister in-law of one of the victims,” said Melissa Fernandez, the volunteer and special events coordinator with The Salvation Army in Manatee County. “We received many ‘thank yous’ for our presence, and today we truly were ‘Doing The Most Good’ for our neighbors in need.”

In total, The Salvation Army served 150 bottles of water and around 70 meals to the residents, first responders and family members.

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.