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Along the East Coast, the Army helps meet the needs of victims and emergency responders.
The Salvation Army mobilized its forces along the U.S. East Coast prior to Hurricane Sandy’s landfall Oct. 29, preparing to help both victims and emergency responders. Even before it landed, the unprecedented “perfect storm” caused widespread flooding and
wind damage.
“It’s clear now that Hurricane Sandy was and continues to be a major and historic storm impacting millions of people,” said Major George Hood, national community relations secretary for The Salvation Army. “Residents of the impacted areas can rest assured that The Salvation Army will be with them for the long haul providing practical, physical and spiritual support at the areas of greatest need.”
More than 300 Salvation Army emergency response vehicles (canteens) in the eastern and southern U.S. were ready for action along with more than 600 units nationwide, capable of serving thousands of meals and drinks per day.
In addition to providing nutrition, The Salvation Army helped transport evacuees and shelter them. The Red Bank (N.J.) Corps received evacuated nursing home patients Oct. 28-29.
The Salvation Army coordinated its efforts with those of federal, state and local emergency responders, including the American Red Cross.
In New York City, officials from the Office of Emergency Management appointed The Salvation Army as the lead agency for the city’s food access plan, coordinating feeding at city shelters.
In Baltimore, Md., working with the Baltimore City and County Emergency Operations Centers, The Salvation Army was asked to feed neighborhoods that lost power.
After Hurricane Sandy touched down in Atlantic City, N.J., it left a path of devastation throughout the state. When waters suddenly rose in Union, N.J., an Army canteen and a volunteer vehicle were flooded. Despite this loss, Salvation Army volunteers continued to serve meals.
In Atlantic County, shelters were at capacity, and the Army served meals and hydration to all individuals seeking refuge, including at a shelter for people with functional needs and special dietary restrictions.
In Montclair, N.J., The Salvation Army operated a “charging” center in addition to providing meals. The center was available to all community residents needing to charge their phones, computers and other electronic devices.
The Salvation Army in Stamford, Conn., initially served more than 400 meals, with plans to serve hundreds more using supplies collected for this year’s Thanksgiving meal.
Along with food, hydration, transportation, and emotional and spiritual care, The Salvation Army is prepared to provide clean-up kits, hygiene kits, shower units, first-aid supplies and communication support. While pastoral care is available for all people impacted, it is not a prerequisite for receiving assistance.
The best way to contribute to Hurricane Sandy disaster relief is with a monetary donation at salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769). Donors may also contribute $10 via their phone bill by texting the word STORM to 80888.
How your monetary
donations help others:
• $10 feeds a disaster survivor for one day.
• $30 provides one food box for a family of four, or one household cleanup kit with brooms, mops, buckets and other supplies.
• $100 provides snacks and drinks for 125 survivors and emergency personnel at a disaster site.
• $250 provides one hot meal to 100 people or keeps a hydration station operational for 24 hours.
• $500 keeps a Salvation Army canteen fully operational for one day.
To donate, visit salvationarmyusa.org, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769), or text the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation.
