• Sarah Schmitt

United Food Bank and The Salvation Army Merge Efforts for Greatest Good

Plant City, FL (October 23, 2024)- The Salvation Army diligently works to form relationships and establish outreach services within communities with programs that work towards recovery and progressive sustainment. Participating in Community Resource Centers and community programs to foster growth post- disaster helps to support the mission of the local Salvation Army corps and to better enable survivor recovery and growth development in areas hard hit by disasters. United Food Bank with The Salvation Army arranged for survivors affected by Hurricane Milton to come to Plant City, FL, to receive on-site collaborative assistance.

The Salvation Army was on site for two days, operating a mobile feeding unit, distributing food, water, snacks, and providing emotional and spiritual support for survivors of along the side of other more grassroot organizations, United Food Bank of Plant City, and volunteers from the Country Wood Community. Two members of The Salvation Army from the Orlando Corp Canteen served a total of 524 meals, 317 drinks, and 449 snacks in a total of 6 hours between the two days.

Polk and Hillsborough County communities continue to be appreciative of services rendered by The Salvation Army. The resounding efforts of neighbors helping neighbors that have banded together has “never been seen before” by long-time residents. Survivors have felt “hungry, tired, working, and feeling hopeless.” Seeing The Salvation Army and the smiles they provided and the fact that The Salvation Army stayed and reached out into the communities “often forgotten about and left behind” has “brought people together.”

There will be “a lot of learning new things.” Survivors noted they are “learning to lean on Jesus” because of this love that they have been shown. One survivor arrived, feeling exacerbated with their circumstance, and hesitant to detail much more than physical destruction, but stayed to receive a hot meal. However, when they listened to an account of why a Salvation Army volunteer would willingly give of self to be out in the hot sun “for nothing” they paused to listen. The Salvation Army volunteer went on to explain because in the hardest of times, is when people need to feel the love of Jesus, that volunteering is a way to show the heart and compassion of Christ. By serving others selflessly, we can create a positive impact in people’s lives, reflecting the values that Jesus modeled so perfectly.

Every year, natural disasters destroy local economies and devastate lives. They cost billions of dollars and cause traumas and emotional damage. The Salvation Army helps thousands of people throughout the aftermath of these disasters. Long after immediate response has tampered off, local Salvation Army programs are designed to meet the specific needs of each community served. For opportunities to explore ways The Salvation Army provides services find your nearest location to discover local programming, https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/help-disaster-survivors/