• Dulcinea Cuellar Kimrey

Salvation Army continues to help those affected by Tropical Storm Debby

Tampa, Fla. (July 6) - The Salvation Army continues to respond almost two weeks after Tropical Storm Debby dumped more than 20 inches of rain in some parts of Florida. The Salvation Army of Florida has its canteens (mobile kitchens) serving residents in Wakulla, Suwannee, Franklin, Columbia and Pasco counties.

Since being dispatched on June 26, The Salvation Army has served more than 27,000 meals and snacks, 1,900 food boxes, 2,000 clean-up kits and more than 1,600 family hygiene kits in Florida.

Capt. Julio Da Silva, Salvation Army corps officer in Tallahassee, continues to serve residents in Panacea and Sopchoppy in rural Wakulla county.

“The needs are changing from life-sustaining to clean up and recovery,” Da Silva said. "While we are able to give them food and water to help them physically what these people need is someone to stand beside them and reassure them."

Lt. Preston Lewis, from Gainesville has been serving in Live Oak at the Suwannee Coliseum Complex, which is been set up as a disaster recovery center. He has seen a significant increase in the number of people coming to the recovery center.

"Flood survivors are now getting back in their homes and seeking resources to help them recover," Lewis said. "We just want to be here for them in any way that we can, even if it is a shoulder to cry on. You might be surprised how far that will carry someone."

In the aftermath of a storm, Salvation Army officers and staff have been focusing on meeting the immediate needs of disaster survivors and first-responders but have now begun to provide materials to help them in the clean up and recovery process.

For more information about how The Salvation Army is responding to Tropical Storm Debby and other disasters, please log on to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org. You can also follow @salarmyeds, @salarmyfla, @salarmyflaeds or search“Salvation Army Florida Division” on Facebook to access the latest information.

As The Salvation Army continues to help those in need, The Salvation Army continues to need financial support in the ongoing recovery efforts. Corporations like FedEx an BP have already assisted with the relief efforts and more help is needed. Individuals and businesses that would like to help those affected by this disaster can visit www.salvationarmyusa.orgor call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Monetary donations are needed to meet survivors’most immediate needs. A $100 donation can feed a family of four for two days, provide two cases of drinking water and one household cleanup kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning supplies.

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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.