• Jon Kalahar

Feeding Increases as Clean-up Continues After Hattiesburg Tornado

Hattiesburg, MS - The Salvation Army now has four mobile feeding units covering the areas affected by the early morning tornado that left a path of destruction in and  around Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Along the path of Saturday’s storms roads are still blocked as power crews work to restore electricity to homes.

Salvation Army canteens set up so residents wouldn’t have to walk or drive far for a hot meal or something to drink.

“I heard glass breaking and something hitting the house,” said Hattiesburg resident, George Dixon.

Dixon walked over for something to eat. He also was prayed for before he left.

“Seeing this truck makes you feel like someone cares about you,” said Dixon.

Veronica Williams drove up to The Salvation Army canteen knowing she could get a meal for her family.

“You always show up when people are in need,” said Williams. “You see that red and white, you are about to get help.”

Help comes in many forms. Michelle Overby and Jordyn Lester lived through Katrina on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Now living in Hattiesburg, they saw people in need and wanted to help.

“We drove down this street and saw how the people looked, that was how we looked after Katrina, so we had to help,” said Overby.

Michelle and Jordyn made sandwiches, chips bags, snacks and bought water to hand out, but with the road blocked, they couldn’t deliver the food to a local church. That’s when they saw The Salvation Army canteen.

“The Salvation Army helped us and we wanted to do that here,” said Lester.

Michelle and Jordyn asked if they could pass out their food next to the canteen, and our disaster workers even let them use one of our tables.

The Salvation Army prepared and delivered meals, served drinks and snacks, and prayed with folks from the community. Workers are also providing food for the county shelter set up for storm survivors.

With two mobile feeding units on standby ready to help if needed, disaster personnel with assess the need in the area and work with local and state emergency management agencies to provide for those in need.

How People Can Help
The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation.

• Donate Online: http://give.salvationarmyusa.org/january_tornado_outbreak
• Donate By Mail: The Salvation Army PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301. Please designate ‘January Tornado Outbreak' on all checks
• Donate By Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)