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THE SALVATION ARMY SUPPORTS ISAAC'S FORGOTTEN POPULATION HOMELESS SHELTERS FULL OF NEEDY AND FEARFUL PEOPLE
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Released 2 September 2012
Source: Mark Jones, The Salvation
Army • Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi
mark_jones@usc.salvationarmy.org (601) 961-7709
Milwaukee Media
Contact:
Faithe Colas, Community Relations Director
faithe_colas@usc.salvationarmy.org (414) 531-6363
The
Salvation Army Supports Isaac's Forgotten Population Homeless Shelters full
of Needy and Fearful People
Jackson, Miss. (August 31, 2012) –
Salvation Army personnel throughout the central Gulf Coast are actively serving
residents of Hurricane Isaac impacted areas.
In New Orleans,
Pascagoula, Miss. and Mobile, Ala. Salvation Army Homeless Shelters are filled
to maximum capacity.
The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama is
already
seeing an increase of people in the area looking for a safe place to sleep
because of Tropical Storm Isaac.
“Scared,” explains one
man waiting outside The Salvation Army. “I’ve been through seven
hurricanes, and I’m scared.”
With tropical storm
conditions forecasted overnight, The Salvation Army is expecting more people to
line up looking for shelter. Those numbers could swell even higher because the
Waterfront Rescue Mission has closed through Thursday, due to its location.
“In emergency situations, we will open our doors to as many
people
as possible who are in need of a safe place to sleep. We will continue to
provide shelter to the homeless throughout storm,” said Major Mark Brown,
Coastal Alabama Area Commander.
For many of the homeless, the
threat of Isaac brings back anxious memories of previous storms. Herman
Southland was living in Bayou la Batre when Hurricane Katrina hit. He woke up
in the middle of the night to find his home flooded. Southland and his wife cut
through their ceiling and spent two days on their roof, waiting for rescue. Now
he’s homeless, and worries that he could get stranded again.
Another man explains that without a shelter like The Salvation Army, he is
forced to sleep in parking garages during a storm.
The Salvation
Army’s Center of Hope in New Orleans continues to make accommodations for
the influx of homeless seeking shelter from the storm. Already near capacity
prior to Hurricane Isaac, the homeless shelter has now begun placing temporary
cots around the building to handle the overflow.
In Pascagoula,
Miss.
fifty-five men, women and children enjoyed a hot lunchtime meal and will
ride out the storm.
The Salvation Army Homeless and Emergency
shelter
operates 365 days a year, providing shelter, feeding and emotional support.
"The Salvation Army shelter in Pascagoula runs like a well-oiled
machine," stated Major Terry Ray, Area Commander for The Salvation Army MS Gulf
Coast Area Command." They are always ready to take in those in need and share
the love of Jesus with all.”
Salvation Army personnel
throughout the Gulf Coast continue to mobilize to respond to Hurricane Isaac,
as
it moves inland tonight. Army units in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi have
24 mobile feeding units and one fully-equipped 54-foot field kitchen ready for
immediate response. Additionally, The Salvation Army is prepared to
supplement Gulf Coast states with canteens from inland states, as was necessary
in response to Hurricane Katrina.
In addition to food,
hydration and emotional and spiritual care, The Salvation Army is also prepared
to provide:
•
Clean-up kits containing brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning supplies
• Hygiene kits
• Shower units
• First-aid supplies
• Communications support
The Salvation Army encourages all residents of areas in the
storm’s path to prepare an emergency supply kit and stay informed of all
warnings and evacuation orders. Disaster response professionals recommend
having
a three to five day supply of food and water for each member of your family as
well as flashlights, medication and battery powered radios.
The
Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by this disaster to
visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY
(1-800-725-2769). Donors
may also contribute $10 via their phone bill by text messaging the word STORM
to
80888, and confirming the donation with the word, “Yes.” Checks may
be made out to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA
30301. Please designate "2012 Hurricane Relief" on all checks.
At
this point, in-kind donations, such as used clothing and used furniture, are
not
being accepted for hurricane relief. However, these items are vital to
supporting the day-to-day work of your local Salvation Army. Please consider
giving these items to your local Salvation Army Family Store or dial
1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825).
For more information on The
Salvation Army’s preparation and response to Hurricane Isaac, please
visit http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/, www.facebook.com/salvationarmyusa or www.twitter.com/salvationarmyus.
###
About The
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the
universal
Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in
need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United
States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army
each year through the broadest array of social services that range from
providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the
disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless
and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The
Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities
nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
*A
one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted
from your prepaid balance. Message & Data Rates May Apply. All charges are
billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on
Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint and TMobile. By participating you certify
that you agree to the terms and conditions, that you are 18 yrs. or older,
or have parental permission, and have authorization from the account
holder. Donations are collected for the benefit of The Salvation Army by the
Innovative Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at
igfn.org/t.Privacy policy: igfn.org/p. Text STOP to 80888 to stop; Text HELP to
80888 for help.
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