Sometimes a wrong turn can lead in the right direction. When the lead driver of a group of Salvation Army service vehicles missed a turn while searching for fuel, they found themselves in a south Fort Myers neighborhood still mostly underwater. After driving through for a few minutes, Salvation Army canteens were able to stop in the one parking lot still on dry land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Almost immediately, residents begin to swarm the canteens. Lines stretched down the block as many people were able to receive their first meal post storm. Iris, who waded through waist high water to get off her street said, \u201cI haven\u2019t eaten in two days. I\u2019ve been getting lightheaded. Seeing you guys was such a relief.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two young women, Renee and Bella, stopped to load up on meals and water for a local family with a baby sheltering at a bus stop down the street. They refused to take meals for themselves, but Bella added, \u201cWe just couldn\u2019t go home and leave\u2026 not after seeing that baby.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miguel, a local electrician, broke down in tears. \u201cI saved six people yesterday,\u201d he whispered. \u201cBut I\u2019ll never forget the sound of those cries for help. I\u2019ll always wish I could have done more. I\u2019m just so glad you guys are here. You got here so fast.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Salvation Army canteens served food for hours to a line that never dwindled. Even after running out of food, they continued to distribute bottled water to the seemingly never-ending line of grateful residents who swapped stories about water damage and their fears while riding out the storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was so sad when we saw all the houses still in water and people who have nothing just standing around with nowhere to go,\u201d said Major Josu\u00e9 Prieto. \u201cI was so glad to be able to help them. I prayed with one family who lost everything. It broke my heart, but I was glad to at least offer them food today.\u201d<\/p>\n
MIchelle Hartfield<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sometimes a wrong turn can lead in the right direction. 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