Kerrville, Texas (July 17, 2025) – News of the July 4th flooding in Central Texas was told instantaneously across the country and indeed the world. The outpouring of love and support received has been overwhelming and The Salvation Army has been working since the morning of the disaster to facilitate assistance to those impacted.
A supply distribution center was quickly established at The Salvation Army in Kerrville, receiving in-kind donations of essential supplies, clothing, and items to benefit impacted individuals and families. Local residents jumped right into the enviable task to receive, sort, and distribute donations – an enormous job – all to provide help to their neighbors in need. At the request of the city and the county, The Salvation Army stepped up to take on the responsibility to manage in-kind donations, and volunteer management during the first week of response.
“The people of Kerr County have come through for their neighbors affected by the flood. We have had so many volunteers and received an incredible number of in-kind donations that have been turned around and put in the hands of those who need them,” said Kathy Clark, Associate Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army in Texas. “For two weeks, The Salvation Army building has been a hive of activity, with literally thousands of people coming through our doors either to help, or to receive assistance.”
Sarah lives in Boerne, about 30 miles away from Kerrville, where her parents live. She felt compelled to help after the flood that devastated Kerr County. “I knew I needed to do something to help and quickly got connected with The Salvation Army. My daughter and I got to the distribution center on Monday, July 6th, just a couple of days after the flood, and have been working here every day since then,” said Sarah. “I spent all the first week directing traffic outside in the heat. There was so much stuff coming in and it took a few days to get everything organized. We’ve had a great team of staff and volunteers and by Thursday people were coming to pick up the items they needed. I’m so pleased we have been able to do our part and make a difference for those who have lost so much.”
Other people traveled from further afield to lend a hand. Mary Ellen Wehr and her son Luke, from Baltimore, Maryland, saw the horrific news of the disaster on TV and felt a pull—one stronger than distance, schedules, or summer plans.
“We just kept seeing the images on TV,” said Mary Ellen. “And we felt called to come down to help however we could. We had a few free days and figured we could make time for this.”
Thanks to friends in Houston who had shared posts about local volunteer opportunities, the Wehrs found open volunteer shifts, registered with The Salvation Army, and made plans to head to Texas.
What the Wehrs found in Kerrville was not just devastation, but a powerful display of unity. They served at The Salvation Army mobile kitchen and distribution site, handing out bottled water, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, tools, work gloves and more.
“People have showed up not just for themselves, but for their neighbors too,” said Mary Ellen. “We had someone come with hand-written supply lists from nursing home residents who couldn’t get out themselves.”
Luke added, “The service, the donations and the volunteerism has been so touching to experience. Everyone is so passionate about supporting their community and taking care of each other. I’ve learned that ‘Texas Strong’ is a real thing. We’ve seen it and believe it.”
The Salvation Army has served as a central hub in this outpouring of support, providing meals, drinks and Emotional and Spiritual Care, organizing donation drop-offs, distributing supplies, and coordinating volunteers like the Wehrs.
“Those who have come to receive help and collect supplies have been incredibly grateful,” said Mary Ellen. “We had literally hundreds of cars come through last night to receive items. The need is real. And we’re just thankful to be part of the response and for The Salvation Army, and all the organization does.”
As they prepare to head back to Maryland, Mary Ellen and Luke leave behind more than hard work and services. They leave a legacy of kindness and compassion.
The Salvation Army has provided 6,407 meals, 39,949 snacks, and 40,316 drinks since service began on July 4. They have also distributed 1,119 cleanup kits, 1,986 hygiene kits, 1,028 cleaning supplies, and made 2,457 ESC contacts. Three mobile feeding units are mobilized in Kerrville, Ingram, and Hunt, and two additional units are working in San Angelo. Disaster Response Center’s are now open in San Angelo and Kerrville where flood survivors can apply for and receive immediate recovery assistance.
The Salvation Army is no longer accepting in-kind donations or spontaneous volunteers in Kerr County. To make a financial donation to support ongoing recover efforts, please call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or go to helpsalvationarmy.org.
For more information on The Salvation Army’s current disaster response efforts and specific feeding locations, go to www.salarmyeds.org.
