While active feeding has ceased, The Salvation Army remains committed to providing immediate assistance and preparing for longer term recovery in the areas affected by the 4th of July Floods in Texas. A little over a month out from the tragic floods, Salvation Army personnel are stationed at Disaster Recovery Centers and Community Centers in six counties to meet with survivors and assess their immediate needs.
In addition to providing financial assistance through gift cards, The Salvation Army is meeting immediate needs on a case-by-base basis, providing items such as appliances, mattresses, and another household items needed to function through recovery. Many of these families continue to reside in their homes despite damage and the loss of items essential for day-day life.
Some survivors who lost apartments and belongings in the flooding have been able to find permanent housing solutions but were still in need of furniture to complete their recovery. The Salvation Army is establishing partnerships with local furniture stores to address that immediate need.
Another area of need has been assistance to families with children who lost items, such as uniforms, clothes, and shoes or electronics, they need to be successful in school. In San Angelo, the Salvation Army, not only provided some families additional assistance to purchase these items but also invited them to participate in the back-to-school event where they could pick up additional school supplies at no cost.
The Salvation Army has also assisted business owners to purchase tools and other essential work items (including professional clothing and electronics) they lost in the flood. Helping to replace these items enables individuals to get back to work quicker and expedites their overall recovery, which, in turn, has a positive impact on their emotional and mental health.
While no two stories are the same, and immediate needs can vary, The Salvation Army will continue to provide immediate assistance in the following weeks to help stabilize households until long-term recovery needs can be addressed.
Below are just a few of the stories shared by Salvation Army case worker on the ground in Texas:
One of the families we were honored to assist in Kerrville involved a 63-year-old man who had been working alongside his son in landscaping. Tragically, his son lost his life during the recent disaster, leaving the father not only grieving but suddenly responsible for the care of his grandchildren.
In the midst of this heartbreaking situation, The Salvation Army was able to offer relief. We provided him with Walmart gift cards to help cover the cost of food and clothing for the children, along with Valero gift cards to assist with fuel needs. This act of support, though small in comparison to the loss he endured, served as a reminder that he is not alone and that his community stands with him during this time.
We had the privilege of assisting a resilient mother of four who was working at Camp Waldemar. When the flooding began, it came so quickly that she only had time to grab the clothes she had laid out for work. Sadly, her vehicle was overtaken by the rising waters, and she also lost her personal laptop (a critical tool she was using to pursue her Master’s degree).
The Salvation Army was able to provide her with a new laptop which allowed her to continue her education and stay on track. Her strength, determination, and unwavering hope serve as a true inspiration, and we’re honored to have played a small part in helping her rebuild.
After flooding damaged her apartment and forced her employer to close, a single mother found herself without work or essential belongings. With no family or friends to turn to, she felt lost and overwhelmed. That’s when The Salvation Army stepped in, providing her with gas cards so she could travel to a new work location and gift cards to replace daily necessities. She was also able to visit our donation center to get diapers for her toddler. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she shared, “Bless The Salvation Army! I don’t know what I would have done without their help.”
We met with a couple who lived at one of the RV parks in town where the husband also worked. Their home was the only property left standing after the flood. The Salvation Army helped have their home moved to another location and covered the first month’s rent and utilities while they work towards a new source of income.
