Dallas, Texas (July 7, 2025) – Salvation Army teams continue to provide practical assistance to flood survivors and first responders in Central Texas after the tragic flooding that struck on July 4, claiming more than 80 lives. Five mobile kitchens are actively serving meals, snacks and drinks in multiple impacted communities.
For one Salvation Army staff member, the current flooding and response efforts hit particularly close to home.
“I have been with The Salvation Army for almost two years as Volunteer Coordinator, and disaster relief is a big part of the job,” said Katie Beauchamp, with The Salvation Army in Kerrville. “I have been honored to deploy in the past to support relief efforts in Houston and McAllen after flooding. Locally, we supported first responders during wildfires earlier this year but have never had a disaster of this magnitude in our community.”
The Salvation Army has provided 2,670 meals, 3,726 snacks, and 16,265 drinks since service began on July 4. They have also distributed 87 cleanup kits and 131 hygiene kits. Three mobile feeding units are mobilized in Kerrville, Ingram, and Hunt, and two additional units are working in San Angelo.
“On my previous deployments, the most rewarding moments have been seeing communities come together to help each other. Our little community has now surpassed anything I have ever seen before. We have been overwhelmed with donations and volunteer support. Everyone wants to help in any way they can,” said Beauchamp. “This disaster is unique in that The Salvation Army is also coordinating all local volunteers as well as managing the donation center for the disaster. Logistically, donation management is a difficult task, but someone needed to take it over.”
Seven trained Emotional and Spiritual Care (ESC) staff will begin working in the impacted area on Tuesday, July 8. ESC is an integral part of The Salvation Army’s disaster response effort. Many disaster survivors and first responders experience emotional distress after a traumatic event such as a disaster. The Salvation Army deploys specially trained individuals to offer emotional and spiritual care to rescue workers and disaster survivors who may need a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on or a word of encouragement. Emotional and Spiritual Care workers are also able to answer questions about the disaster recovery process and how to find and receive services.
“It means a lot to be able to serve the Texas Hill Country Community that I grew up in. It obviously hits close to home as we all know people in the community who were affected or devastated by the flood,” said Beauchamp. “Multiple Kerrville Salvation Army staff members lost everything in the flood, including pets. The biggest need we have now is prayer and financial donations to support the ongoing relief operations.”
Additional Emergency Disaster Services staff are enroute to Kerrville on Monday and will provide much needed support in the coming days as The Salvation Army continues to serve the practical needs of the community, manage volunteers and prepare for supply distributions.
Financial donations are the best way to support The Salvation Army’s ongoing response efforts in Central Texas. To make a donation, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or go to helpsalvationarmy.org. 100% of all donations designated for disaster response will support the relief efforts and help impacted individuals and families.
For more information on The Salvation Army’s current disaster response efforts and specific feeding locations, go to www.salarmyeds.org.
