• Philip Burn

The Salvation Army Response Effort Transitions to Bulk Distribution in Texas Rio Grande Valley

Dallas, Texas (August 4, 2020) – After almost a week of meal service in counties surrounding Corpus Christi and McAllen, The Salvation Army has stood down its mobile kitchens and response teams. Focus will now shift to food box and bulk distribution based out of the McAllen Salvation Army facility.

“We are so grateful to committed Salvation Army staff and volunteers who deployed to South Texas this week to provide basic needs and emotional and spiritual care to their fellow Texans in need after Hurricane Hanna,” said Alvin Migues, Texas Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army. “Any disaster deployment takes a great commitment but to respond during the current COVID-19 pandemic has required special dedication and effort.”

Mobile kitchens and teams from Kerrville, McAllen, Austin, Victoria, and San Antonio were released on Monday morning after seven days of consecutive service. In response to Hurricane Hanna The Salvation Army has provided more than 26,060 meals, 7,354 snacks and 8,127 drinks.

“The Salvation Army’s response efforts have now transitioned from serving hot food, snacks, drinks, and cleanup kits in various communities affected by the storm, to a central bulk distribution based out of The Salvation Army in McAllen. We do anticipate that deliveries of food boxes will take place into some outlying cities,” said Migues. “McLane Global has provided 1,000 food boxes and we will be distributing these to individuals and families in the Rio Grande Valley. The support of valued partners like McLane Global, the Midwest Food Bank, Breedlove Foods, Coca Cola, and others has once again proved essential as part of our effective response.”

The Salvation Army provides service in every zip code in Texas and was working in affected communities long before the storm arrived and will remain long after. A truck will leave The Salvation Army Disaster Warehouse in Arlington on Wednesday morning, headed for McAllen, loaded with additional supplies including cleanup kits, tarps, and 36 twin beds.

“We anticipate a busy 2020 hurricane season and The Salvation Army stands ready to respond to future storms that may affect Texas,” said Migues. “We have trained volunteers throughout the state that, along with our staff, are prepared to deploy at very short notice, in order to deliver relief, encouragement, and hope to those who find themselves in crisis.”

For the latest information please go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and watch for regular updates on our social media pages at www.facebook.com/salvationarmytexas/ and www.twitter.com/salarmytx. To make a donation go to www.helpsalvationarmy.org or call 1-800-SALARMY