• Chris Johnson

The Salvation Army Responds to Flooding in the Arkansas-Oklahoma Division

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (June 1, 2015) - Disaster response teams from The Salvation Army’s Arkansas & Oklahoma Division continue to provide relief from the significant flooding that occurred from the recent stretch of precipitation in the region. One affected area in need of assistance was in Jefferson County, Arkansas, where The Salvation Army has been serving in three different communities.

“It’s really a unique situation to be responding to a disaster of this nature. We’re proud to be able to provide assistance to this community,” said Captain David Leonard, corps officer for The Salvation Army of Pine Bluff.

Serving at the evacuation shelters in the communities of Wright and Swan Lake, The Salvation Army has been able to provide almost 1,000 meals, drinks and snacks to the residents of the flooded neighborhoods.

County Office of Emergency Management officials recently requested paper products and basic hygiene kits for residents in the community of Island Harbor, and The Salvation Army was able to assist. However, for the first time in Jefferson County, these products were delivered and distributed to flood victims by The Salvation Army from the side of a boat. The Salvation Army continues to remain on the scene in Jefferson County, Arkansas, partnering with the American Red Cross to provide meals to those who would otherwise go without.

In Lawton, Oklahoma, The Salvation Army has been partnering with the Commanche Nation at a local shelter for displaced residents in the area, providing clean up kits, food boxes, hygiene kits and blankets. 

Since Friday, over 1,700 meals, snacks and drinks have been served to communities in both Oklahoma and Arkansas, as well as 262 clean up kits, 70 comfort kits, 60 food boxes, 40 blankets and 461 cases of water.

The Emergency Disaster Services Department of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Division is preparing a shipment of clean up kits, and essentials kits (including food and hygiene products) to be distributed by the Pine Bluff Corps. Along with this delivery, cases of clean water will be made available to those who are in need.

The Salvation Army would like to extend a special thank you to FedEx for delivering two trailer loads of clean up kits, and also to Midwest Food Bank for providing food boxes for residents across the Arkansas-Oklahoma Division.

Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Please follow us at www.twitter.com/SalArmyAOKEDS, www.twitter.com/SalArmyAOK and www.facebook.com/SalArmyAOK for additional information.

How to Help:
The quickest and easiest way to support the efforts of The Salvation Army as they serve disaster victims in Oklahoma & Arkansas during this event and future disasters is to make a monetary donation.

By mail:
To mail a contribution to the Arkansas-Oklahoma relief efforts,
P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK 73157
Please mark your donation as "May 2015 Storms"

Online:
Give online at https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/disaster/midwest-disaster-relief-may-2015

By Phone:
Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY [1-800-725-2769]

Via Text:
Text the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone; to confirm your gift, respond with the word “Yes.”*

Donations of Household Good and Clothing:
Due to the emergency situation, The Salvation Army cannot guarantee that any individual donations of household goods or clothing (gifts-in-kind) will be sent to the disaster area. In times of disaster, our stores fill these needs from existing, pre-sorted stock. PLEASE continue to donate gently-used household goods to your local Salvation Army store. You will help your community and help us prepare for future disaster relief needs. To find your nearest drop-off location, please go to www.satruck.org.

Contact:  Chris Johnson, 405.323.5892
E-mail: chris_johnson@uss.salvationarmy.org
Office:  405.254.1176

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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.

*A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Message and Data Rates May Apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. By participating you certify that you are 18 yrs or older and/or have parental permission. Donations are collected for the benefit of The Salvation Army by the Innogive Foundation and subject to the terms found at igfn.org/t. Privacy policy: igfn.org/p.Text STOP to 80888 to stop; Text HELP to 80888 for help.