Dallas, Texas<\/strong> \u2013 After Hurricane Laura hit the Southeast Texas and Louisiana coastline on Thursday, August 27, much of the focus has been on communities including Orange, Port Arthur, Vidor and Lake Charles, LA. However, the storm retained hurricane intensity as it moved north with dramatic effects being felt in East Texas. During the last week, The Salvation Army has provided practical assistance in these rural counties, leveraging year-round contacts and relationships to deliver help to those in need.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Salvation Army Service Extension program is one of the most unique and effective programs within the organization. Almost 250 Service Units are found in Texas. This is a location where The Salvation Army does not own a building or have any paid staff, but rather social service assistance is administered by volunteers who may work in a bank, in the courthouse, at the police department, or other similar businesses. These volunteers provide faithful year-round support to The Salvation Army and in recent years have played an integral role in several large-scale disaster response efforts.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Newton Service Unit is a great example of how a volunteer-run unit can have a significant impact on the local community. Joe Miller has been the Chairman of the unit for more than 10 years. \u201cAt one point, The Salvation Army was operated by the County Judge, but they were looking to restructure and needed someone else to take it on. I don\u2019t remember how or why, but that\u2019s when I became the Chairman,\u201d said Miller. \u201cBeing a Wesleyan, I\u2019ve always had a great affinity for The Salvation Army as we have a very similar theology. I love the fact that The Salvation Army is first and foremost a church. There\u2019s nothing wrong with other 501c3 organizations who also do a lot of good, but there\u2019s something different about the Army being a church. All that they do is motivated by their love for God and people.\u201d<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n Residents of Newton County have been significantly affected by Hurricane Laura despite being more than 30 miles inland. \u201cMany people have lost trees on their properties and a significant number of homes have been damaged. Large areas have been without power or running water since the storm,\u201d said Miller. \u201cThe Salvation Army sent a mobile kitchen from Beaumont to serve hot meals and has also supplied tarps for roof repairs and clean-up kits,\u201d said Miller. \u201cAs utilities come back on, people want to fix their own food again, but it\u2019s difficult and expensive for them to restock their refrigerators and freezers. The Salvation Army and the Southeast Texas Food Bank are going to be helping residents get back on their feet.\u201d\u2019<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n Service Unit volunteers throughout Texas have responded to the call for help during times of disaster and many have completed Salvation Army training courses. \u201cOne of the things I love about The Salvation Army is their unwavering support. No matter what happens in our community, I know that I\u2019m going to hear from The Salvation Army asking how they can help. I know when they tell me they\u2019re going to do something, it gets done. That\u2019s my kind of ministry!\u201d<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Friday, The Salvation Army has served 69,862 meals, 50,101 drinks, 25,731 snacks in affected communities. Trained staff and Emotional and Spiritual Care volunteers have prayed with 730 storm survivors.The Salvation Army is serving food in the following fixed locations on Thursday:Bridge City \u2013 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 945 W. Roundbunch Rd, Bridge City, TXPort Arthur \u2013 Sam Houston Elementary: 3245 36th Port Arthur, TXOrange Corps \u2013 1950 MLK Drive Orange, TXVidor \u2013 115 W. Bolivar St, Vidor, TXNewton \u2013 Newton Church\/Food Bank: 501 Main Street, Newton, TXDeweyville High School \u2013 171 TX-12, Deweyville, TX (TX-12 & HWY 87)Mauriceville \u2013 Market Basket, 11916 Hwy 62-N, Mauriceville<\/p>The best way to support the disaster work of The Salvation Army by making a financial donation at www.helpsalvationarmy.org<\/a> or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. For the latest information please go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org<\/a> and watch for regular updates on our social media pages at www.facebook.com\/salvationarmytexas\/<\/a> and www.twitter.com\/salarmytx<\/a>.<\/p>\n