• Erika Hammonds

The Salvation Army Disaster Service Teams Meet Immediate Needs in Hampton Roads and North Carolina

Hampton Roads, VA (August 30, 2011) - In the third day after Hurricane Irene came through North Carolina and Virginia, The Salvation Army continues its work in affected areas where Irene left thousands with property damage and without power. Currently, The Salvation Army has 10 mobile canteens serving meals, providing material, emotional, and spiritual assistance to communities from the Outer Banks of North Carolina through Hampton Roads and into Washington, DC.  Thus far in Hampton Roads, The Salvation Army has provided more than 5,200 meals, 100 clean-up kits, shelter to nearly 300 individuals and prayed with 180.   

 “There are still a lot of communities without power and folks in need of a warm meal, supplies and someone to talk with during this time,” said Major Lewis Reckline of The Salvation Army. 

Relief efforts will extend throughout the impacted region. In the short-term aftermath of the storm, Salvation Army officers and staff will continue to focus on immediate needs providing food, hydration, and emotional and spiritual care to impacted individuals and families.

For August 30, Salvation Army mobile feeding units will be positioned and roving in the following areas:

-One canteen is roving Poquoson serving lunch (dinner as appropriate)

-Five canteens are roving Williamsburg serving lunch and dinner

-One canteen is roving Norfolk in the Willoughby Spit community serving lunch (dinner as appropriate)

-One Salvation Army feeding unit is stationed at the Rodanthe Community Center in Cape Hatteras

-Five canteens are roving the Outer Banks of North Carolina providing meals, clean-up kits and spiritual assistance

For a real-time update on the location of mobile canteens interested parties can follow The Salvation Army of Hampton Roads on Twitter (@salarmyhr) or text IRENE to 27138 for mobile updates.

Since Friday evening the residents at Cogic High-rise Apartments in Norfolk had been without power.  “Residents tried to save what they could,” said Theresa, an employee at the complex.  “This means a lot to them, they’re grateful for The Salvation Army coming out to serve meals.”    

The best way to help survivors and relief workers is to make a financial contribution. Monetary donations allow disaster responders to immediately meet the specific needs of disaster survivors. 

The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by Hurricane Irene to visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).  Donors may also contribute $10 via their phone bill by text messaging the word STORM to 80888, and confirming the donation with the word, “Yes.”   Checks may be made out to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301.  Please designate Hurricane 2011 on all checks. 

·     A $10 donation feeds a disaster survivor for one day

·     A $30 donation provides one food box, containing staple foods for a family of four, or one household cleanup kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets and other cleaning supplies

·     A $100 donation can serve snacks and drinks for 125 survivors and emergency personnel at the scene of a disaster

·     A $250 donation can provide one hot meal to 100 people or keep a hydration station operational for 24 hours

·     A $500 donation keeps a Salvation Army canteen (mobile feeding unit) fully operational for one day

At this point, in-kind donations are not being accepted.  Used clothing and used furniture are seldom required during an incident.  However, these gifts are vitally important in supporting the day-to-day work of your local Salvation Army. Please consider giving these items to your local Salvation Army Family Store or dial 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825).

For the latest emergency disaster services news, please visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and follow the EDS team on Twitter @SalArmyEDS.  Interested parties may also visit SalArmyHR.org, facebook.com/salarmyhr, and follow twitter.com/salarmyhr.