• Philip Burn

The Salvation Army Response Moves to Long Term Recovery in West, TX

Dallas, TX (April 30, 2013) – The Salvation Army response to the explosion in West, Texas, has now transitioned from the immediate provision of food and emergency support to first responders and residents, to long term assistance as the community works to rebuild.

Since the response began The Salvation Army has provided 9,244 meals, 10,303 drinks and more than 5,500 snacks. Additionally, The Salvation Army has given out 123 food boxes to assist families who have been able to return to their homes and others who remain in short term alternate accommodation.

Two Salvation Army Disaster Canteens (mobile kitchens), from Waco and Austin, will complete meal service after dinner this evening before returning home.  The Austin unit has been staffed by volunteers through The Salvation Army Service Extension program. More than 4,000 hours of service has been given thus far by Salvation Army Officers, staff and volunteers in West. As in many other disaster situations in Texas, The Salvation Army has partnered with the Southern Baptist Men to provide meals during the last week.

The Joint Assistance Center, where residents of West were able to meet with relief agencies, including The Salvation Army, closed on Sunday evening. After meeting with case managers more than 200 families received gift cards and other assistance from The Salvation Army. Residents of ‘Zone 3’ have been allowed back to their homes briefly to collect salvageable items prior to the demolition of a significant number of properties.

The Salvation Army is part of the Long Term Recovery Committee in West that has begun assessing the long term needs of the community and families in terms of reconstruction and sustainable planning for the residents. The Social Services staff from the Waco Corps, who supplied the expertise and staffing for case management at the Joint Assistance Center, will provide a continuum of service to those served, through case review and follow up.

Warehouse Operations continue at 104 Apron Road in Waco. The 100,000 square foot warehouse is being provided through Texas State Technical College and DHL Delivery Services and operations will continue for an undetermined length of time. It is expected that The Salvation Army will continue receiving, sorting, and distribution of in-kind donations in addition to housing approximately 20 truckloads of over flow donated goods from the City of West. It is anticipated that The Salvation Army will play a major part in the disbursement of these items to other agencies and families in recovery. Volunteers continue to assist in warehouse operations and a number of groups, including the Texas Longhorns Football team, have given of their time to help support relief efforts.

The best way to support the ongoing relief work in West is by making a financial donation. This can be made in the following ways:
• MAIL – please send checks to The Salvation Army, PO Box 36607, Dallas, TX 75235
• PHONE at 1-800-SAL-ARMY
• ONLINE at www.salvationarmytexas.org
For more information about The Salvation Army’s disaster response effort, please go to www.Facebook.com/SalvationArmyTexas, www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org, or www.salvationarmytexas.org.

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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 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 The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.