Panama City, FL – The Salvation Army continues to expand relief efforts in Panama City 16 days following its initial response to Hurricane Michael. Up to this point, the operation has focused on meeting immediate needs with hot meals, water, snacks and emotional and spiritual care for residents impacted by the storm.
The Salvation Army is providing an average of 13,000 meals a day, currently utilizing 21 canteens (mobile feeding units) at locations across the region. To date, 210,400 meals have been served to those in need across Bay, Washington and Holmes Counties since October 11.
The Salvation Army’s Panama City Incident Command is broadening its services into the hard-hit communities of Bayou George, Callaway and Sandy Creek. It has partnered with the city to provide hot meals at five “comfort stations.” It is also now distributing hygiene kits, MRE’s (meals-ready-to-eat), food boxes, cleaning supplies and tarps.
The Salvation Army is assessing needs throughout the community utilizing a multi-pronged approach. It is receiving requests from state and county officials to provide service in additional areas that have not seen any relief. It is also dispatching teams of personnel into new neighborhoods with items such as MRE’s to make contact with residents, learn about their specific challenges and determine how The Salvation Army can address those needs.
Nearly 200 Salvation Army volunteers, staff and officers from across the US, Canada and Bermuda have participated in local relief efforts since October 11. An additional 15 volunteers are arriving this weekend to bolster support, including six CERT workers (Community Emergency Response Team) out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“We’re prepared for a marathon, not a sprint. Recovering from this storm may take years,” said Bob Myers, Panama City Incident Commander. “The Salvation Army is prepared to stay for as long as it takes until the need is met.”
In Response to Hurricane Michael in Panama City, The Salvation Army has provided:
- 210,400 meals
- 124,500 drinks (water, coffee & Gatorade etc.)
- 94,600 snacks (chips, nuts etc.)
- 3,000 MRE’s (meals ready-to-eat)
- 300 food boxes
- 1,000 hygiene kits
- 13,000+ Emotional & Spiritual Care contacts with survivors
- 82 personnel on the ground – including Salvation Army officers, employees & volunteers
