• Trish Raines

The Salvation Amy Continues Impacting Lives in Remote Parts of Puerto Rico & VI

Life-sustaining resources, Food, and Water Provided to Millions in Need

The Salvation Army is actively partnering with local and federal agencies to seek out and serve Hurricane Maria survivors and families across the Island of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The Salvation Army has utilized specialized emergency distribution missions to reach the most remote parts of the islands. Daily meal distributions at its community centers continue as they have since Hurricane Maria first made landfall in September.

"Seeing a person with tears in their eyes as they rejoice from getting just a little help, you can see that hope for tomorrow has been restored,” explained Lt. Enmanuel Villegas. The Salvation Army will continue to deliver hope until the need no longer exists.

Comprehensive services of The Salvation Army includes the delivery of food and water, with emotional care to those experiencing the psychological and spiritual impacts of surviving a devastating Hurricane. “It is this holistic approach to serving the mind, body, and soul, that The Salvation Army believes will help survivors recover and rejuvenate their spirit to bravely restore their new lives,” added Lt. Villegas.

Some key updates for Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands are (as of 10/20):

• The Salvation Army has a valuable presence in San Juan, Loíza, Fajardo, Humacao, Guayama, Ponce, Arecibo, Mayagüez, Bayamón, Peñuelas, Caguas, St. Thomas, and St. Croix serving meals, water, additional resources, and emotional/spiritual care.
• In total, over 1,800,000 meals, drinks, and snacks have been distributed to those in need since the impact of Hurricane Maria.
• The Salvation Army has distributed over 42,000 articles of clothing to individuals and families in need affected by Hurricane Maria.
• On a recent mission in Toa Alta, PR, within thirty minutes more than 6,000 meals and 462 cases of water were distributed off of the back of a Salvation Army box truck.

With a permanent footprint in the affected communities, The Salvation Army Disaster Services will continue to provide assistance until the need is met, and beyond. To be a part of the disaster response, the following are ways people can support Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

How People Can Help

Response efforts to this hurricane and flooding are expected to be costly, and will last for years. The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation.

Online: 

helpsalvationarmy.org 

Donate By Phone: 

1-800-SAL-ARMY 

Text to Give:

STORM to 51555

Mail Checks - ** Please designate “Hurricane 2017” on all checks. 

The Salvation Army

PO Box 1959 

Atlanta, GA 30301   

 

About The Salvation Army Disaster Services

The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to serve those impacted by the storm, however long it takes, because they are there before, during, and after impact. Beyond serving immediate physical needs, they also meet the emotional and spiritual needs that are unique to catastrophic events. The Salvation Army:

• Serves every ZIP code in the United States and touches almost 25 million lives a year.
• Has served survivors of every major national disaster since 1900.
• Remains in communities until needs are met and beyond.