• David Jolley

The Salvation Army Expands Services in the Florida Keys

Florida Keys, FL (September 15, 2017) - On Friday, The Salvation Army amplified support and services to hurricane survivors in the Florida Keys.

With flights from AERObridge, The Salvation Army began flying additional supplies and personnel directly to the Summerland Key Cove Airport in the Florida Keys. "The Florida Keys are in need of immediate and long-term recovery assistance," said Major Barry Corbitt of The Salvation Army in Lakeland. "That means everything from a hot meal, which we're now providing by the thousands in the Keys, to providing emotional and spiritual care, rebuilding funds, and vouchers. We're here to help, whatever that may look like according to the needs of the people."

Also on Friday, The Salvation Army's Field Kitchen arrived in Marathon. With the capacity to serve 10,000 meals a day, The Salvation Army stands ready to serve the first mass hot meals many will enjoy since Hurricane Irma made landfall five days ago. "We stayed, right along with some of our neighbors, and made it through just fine, but the chaos after the storm can be just as dangerous." said Sergeant Kevin Bickford of The Salvation Army Key West Corps. "Sharing a hot meal and encouraging words with our neighbors when times are really hard, is just something tangible we can do to bring a little hope."

In the short-term aftermath of the storm, Salvation Army officers, staff and volunteers will continue to focus on immediate needs providing food, hydration, and emotional and spiritual care to impacted individuals and families. To support survivors throughout the state of Florida, The Salvation Army has deployed 56 mobile kitchens and to date has prepared and distributed 333,429 meals, drinks and snacks.

Captain Mark Hunter, Incident Commander for The Salvation Army's Florida Keys response management team, also participated in a press briefing with Florida Governer Rick Scott, Senator Marco Rubio, and Congressman Carlos Carbelo.

The best way to help survivors and relief workers is to make a financial contribution. Monetary donations allow disaster responders to immediately meet the specific needs of disaster survivors.  Visit helpsalvationarmy.org

For the latest emergency disaster services news, please visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and follow the EDS team on Twitter @SalArmyEDS.