• Jon Kalahar

The Salvation Army increasing presence and supplies in areas impacted by flood waters

JACKSON, MS (March 11, 2016) – The rains may have stopped, but that doesn’t mean the need for support is no longer there for residents in northern Louisiana. The Salvation Army is answering the call. Saturday morning the Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi Disaster Services Division will send supplies to assist the Shreveport Corps located in northwest Louisiana. A truck of supplies supported by the Jackson Mississippi Corps will transport 1000 ready to serve meals, 300 comfort kits and 200 clean-up kits to Shreveport. These items will be distributed to local residents whose homes have been affected by flood waters.

“These supplies will allow the local Salvation Army to continue fulfilling its mission of serving the temporal and spiritual needs of those affected by this disaster.” said Terry Lightheart, Salvation Army of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, Emergency/Disaster Director.

In addition to supplies, a mobile canteen and 2 volunteers are being deployed to Shreveport from the New Orleans Area Command. This team will report to the local Corps on Saturday morning. The canteen and staff will support a mobile feeding mission to include serving local law enforcement and first responders manning checkpoints in the area.

“Emergency responders are vital to all disasters. We want to make sure they are taken care of in these types of situations,” said Major Ed Binnix, Northwest Louisiana Salvation Army Commander. “Mobile feeding units allow us to serve them as they serve the affected communities. These mobile units also provide support to residents who aren’t staying in shelters.”

In Monroe, Louisiana, The Salvation Army supported a local shelter and displaced residents with 150 meals and 175 drinks plus hygiene items. Officers and trained staff also provided emotional and spiritual care to 60 residents who escaped flooding.

“Although we continue to provide food, snacks and hydration to promote physical strength to those affected by this event; the emotional and spiritual care provides hope and encouragement to those who may be wondering why this is happening,” said Captain August Pillsbury, Monroe Corps officer.

The Salvation Army of Greenville, Mississippi is supporting a local shelter by providing meals, drinks, and spiritual and emotional care. Three hundred clean-up kits will also be delivered to the Greenville Corps Monday.

The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by these storms to please give monetarily through this link: http://give.salvationarmyusa.org/march2016floods

Salvation Army disaster services are free. All people are served equally, without discrimination.

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.salvationarmyalm.org.