• Christopher McGown

Salvation Army Combats Cold Weather With Hot Meals In Tornado Stricken Community

West Liberty, KY (March 4, 2012)—The ever-present hum of generators vibrate the air as hot, nutritious food is ladled into ‘clam-shells’ for this evening’s “dinner run”.     The same crews have already taken their canteen—mobile feeding unit—out into surrounding neighborhoods with lunch, and it was now time to return with dinner.

“No one should be so excited by beanie-weenies, but they were,” said Glenda, one of The Salvation Army’s trained canteen volunteers.  “That’s about all we had left when we found their road, I almost cried when I saw how appreciative they were.”  Glenda said that same road would be among the first on their dinner-run.

Those accounted for a few of the 364 meals The Salvation Army served during the “lunch-run”.   As the canteens pulled out of the parking lot this evening, together they were loaded to feed dinner to 750.

‘Do you have hot chocolate?’ was the most common question among the children served this windy, cold day.  And it wasn’t uncommon among adults, either.   “Yes, we do!” was the reply.

“The wind and snow doesn’t help,” Sgt. Jennings with Kentucky’s National Guard said with a half-smile as he accepted a warm cup of coffee at his post outside one of the (mostly) destroyed banks in what was downtown West Liberty.    That’s just one of the 554 hot/cold drinks served.     

“When looking at this kind of devastation—lives turned upside down; we have to seek refuge in God’s peace, strength, and grace.” said Lt. Colonel Mark Israel, Divisional Commander for the Kentucky & Tennessee Division, as he surveyed the damage and The Salvation Army’s response to it.  “Today is the Lord’s Day; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

This was lived out as Salvation Army volunteers took time to pray with survivors on slabs where once their home stood.   This was lived out as hot coffee, was accompanied by a warm words of support.   This was lived out as Salvation Army canteens ventured where no others had yet too.

“Tomorrow is another day, and we’re going make sure we’re ready to meet the needs head-on” said Glenda.   In fact, even as one crew delivers meals, another crew is at work planning meals and ensuring needed provisions are on hand.

For the latest news about Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services or to make a donation in the support of those impacted by this disaster, please visit:   www.disaster.SalvationArmyUSA.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

You may also help by texting “Storm” 80888 to make a $10.00 contribution to the relief effort.   The donation will appear on your next phone bill.

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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.  For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.