• Cynthia (Cindy) Fuller

The Salvation Army Continues to Assist Many Affected by April Tornadoes

Conway, AR (October 28, 2014) The Salvation Army has transitioned from response to intermediate and long term recovery following the April tornadoes affecting Northeast Oklahoma and Central Arkansas communities.  Immediately following the storms, The Salvation Army mobilized personnel and equipment for immediate needs.  Teams provided food, hydration and emotional and spiritual care to survivors and first responders.

The transition to long term recovery occurs as many have received the emergency assistance needed in the immediate days after the tornadoes and are beginning the next steps of recovery and rebuilding their lives.  The Salvation Army has been in Arkansas and Oklahoma for over 100 years and will continue to support the community in the future.

The Salvation Army provided the following during its emergency disaster response phase:

• 7,711 meals served to survivors and first responders
• 11,660 drinks and snacks served
• Emotional and spiritual care to individuals
• 1,898 hours of employee and volunteer service
• $37,000 in Gift Cards were distributed as emergency assistance to 711 Individuals (248 Families) in Arkansas
• $20,000 in Gift Cards were distributed as emergency assistance to 284 Individuals (92 Families) in Oklahoma

Major David Robinson states “The Salvation Army Corps and Command in Central Arkansas stepped in to provide emergency disaster services while continuing to assist our day to day clients in need. The Salvation Army will continue to serve our neighbors impacted by the tornadoes as participants in the long term recovery process.”

The Salvation Army has spent more than $150,000 on the initial emergency response to the tornadoes and on providing emergency assistance to the disaster’s survivors. An additional $250,000 has been allocated to support long term recovery efforts. The Salvation Army continues to work together with partner agencies and the communities affected to support those impacted by the April tornadoes. The on-going assistance provided by The Salvation Army will occur through the long term recovery case management process. While needs may change, The Salvation Army is committed to being involved for the long haul.

Long term recovery works to meet unmet disaster-related needs, such as housing repairs, relocation costs, furniture and appliance replacement, medical expenses, and more. Each long term recovery case involves case managers working with the disaster survivors to identify their specific unmet needs to connect them with community resources.  For recovery assistance, please call the Inter-Faith & Partners Disaster Recovery Alliance. The alliance is providing assistance to those impacted, in coordination with the Vilonia Disaster Recovery Alliance and the Faulkner County Long Term Recovery Board. The number is 501-205-6873. The Salvation Army is working with disaster clients through the Inter-Faith & Partners Disaster Recovery Alliance.

                                                                                      ###

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 a broad 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.

Major David Robinson
Corps Officer
501-329-1712