{"id":12855,"date":"2018-09-26T15:12:00","date_gmt":"2018-09-26T15:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/salarmyeds.org\/?p=12855"},"modified":"2026-10-05T15:14:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T15:14:57","slug":"the-salvation-army-canteen-a-welcome-sight-in-loris-sc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salarmyeds.org\/index.php\/2018\/09\/26\/the-salvation-army-canteen-a-welcome-sight-in-loris-sc\/","title":{"rendered":"The Salvation Army Canteen a Welcome Sight in Loris, SC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LORIS, SC – <\/strong>For the last few days, The Salvation Army canteen (a mobile feeding unit) from Columbus, Georgia trundled through Loris, S.C. serving meals and drinks to those impacted by Hurricane Florence. The Columbus canteen is part of a contingent of ten other canteens, and 45 staff and volunteers from Georgia that have joined forces with over sixty other canteens and Salvation Army personnel from around the southeast U.S. helping in Hurricane Florence disaster relief efforts in the Carolinas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Loris Fire Chief advised Georgia canteen coordinator, Michael David, affectionately called \u201cPastor Mike,\u201d and assistant Dennis Sims, to focus on a little corner of the small town in the poorer section that was hardest hit and needed the most help. And, so they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The canteen is a familiar and welcomed sight in the community as it daily meanders through the narrow streets tapping its horn to let people know that food, drink and an encouraging word were available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m looking for you guys each day,\u201d says Sherry Williams and she approaches the canteen stopped in front of her house. \u201cThe whole community loves you guys. We have a good time when you come around and we all eat together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms. Williams lives alone in her little home with striped metal awnings. \u201cThe storm cracked my house \u2013 look at that!\u201d she exclaims, pointing to the cracked cinder blocks close to her foundation. \u201cThe rising waters knocked out my electricity and FEMA says I need a new electrical box and new wiring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since she doesn\u2019t have electricity, Shelly can\u2019t cook food on her stove and welcomes the meals and drinks supplied by the Georgia canteen. Her neighbors stop by periodically to make sure she is okay. \u201cThank you,\u201d she says as she turns to go back into her house carrying a stack of meals for herself and her neighbors, \u201cThank you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A stop down the street and around the corner just before the Leggett and Troy Funeral Home provides a dozen meals to a family grieving the loss of their grandmother. \u201cThank you,\u201d says one of the young men taking meals inside, \u201cThis means so much today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Betty Vignone is waiting by her mailbox when the canteen comes by. \u201cYou folks are beyond fantastic,\u201d she says, motioning enthusiastically with her hands. \u201cWho makes that spaghetti? And that sauce, it\u2019s so good! I\u2019m Italian and I feel like a kid in a candy store when you guys come by.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People come out of their houses to meet The Salvation Army canteen as it slowly moves up and down the short, narrow streets. Pastor Mike and The Salvation Army are now part of their community and are greeted with smiles and waves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Residents west of the railroad tracks warned Pastor Mike not to go across to the east side where a notorious cluster of ramshackle huts sat close to the tracks. A Vietnam veteran, Pastor Mike has gone where few have gone before. And as an eighteen-year manager of the Columbus, Georgia Salvation Army shelter, he has worked to mend the broken lives of thousands. Undeterred, he turns the canteen east to serve the poorest of the poor and least of the people in Loris. \u201cGod loves everybody,\u201d says Pastor Mike, \u201cThey have to eat, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A small group of men sit on old crates and wooden boxes gathered under a large shade tree. They look up from their casual conversations as the canteen rumbles across the railroad tracks and pulls to a stop on the opposite side of the road. \u201cHey, guys!\u201d Pastor Mike calls out, \u201cGood to see you. Come and get something to eat!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The men rise slowly and make their way to the canteen. A dozen more are drawn out from windowless and weather-worn wooden structures by the promise of a hot meal and something cool to drink. Few words are spoken, but those that are express humble and profound gratitude. \u201cIt means so much that you would do this for us,\u201d says one man in tattered clothing, whose diminutive home was destroyed by rising waters. \u201cThe water in my house was up to here,\u201d he says putting his hand to his waist. \u201cThat was mine\u201d he says, pointing to a mangled heap of furniture ruined by the tainted flood waters just a few feet from the canteen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be back,\u201d assures Pastor Mike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re counting on you,\u201d replies a soft voice. \u201cYa\u2019ll are good people.\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Help<\/strong>
The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation. Monetary donations allow disaster responders to immediately meet the specific needs of disaster survivors as the situation continues to be assessed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online:<\/strong> helpsalvationarmy.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Donate by phone:<\/strong> 1-800-SAL-ARMY<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To receive a donation link via text: Text STORM to 51555<\/strong><\/p>\n

Don Felice<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

LORIS, SC – For the last few days, The Salvation Army canteen (a mobile feeding unit) from Columbus, Georgia trundled through Loris, S.C. serving meals and drinks to those impacted by Hurricane Florence. The Columbus canteen is part of a contingent of ten other canteens, and 45 staff and volunteers from Georgia that have joined 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