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Released 18 June 2009
The Salvation Army Serving After Tornado in Austin, Minn.
The Salvation Army has two mobile kitchens (canteens) on site providing assistance to residents and emergency workers in Austin MN where a tornado touched down just before dark Wednesday June 17. Salvation Army volunteer crews from Austin and Albert Lea are providing hydration and are on standby to provide housing for up to 20 residents at the Austin Salvation Army building.
"There is no electricity anywhere in town," said Captain Jim Brickson, Albert Lea Salvation Army commander on site. "We have a generator available to provide lights in our Austin service center and are waiting direction from city officials."
With no lighting available the situation is difficult to evaluate and potentially dangerous.
"There are people outside in the dark cutting tree limbs off their houses," said Brickson. "It is a tenuous situation at best."
Help arrives from Mankato
The Salvation Army Mankato disaster volunteer crew and canteen arrived at Austin MN at 8 a.m. on Thursday June 18 to reinforce relief efforts after a tornado touched down last night. With weather conditions expected to be hot and humid, hydration will be essential as residents wake to the daunting task of cleanup. In times of disaster The Salvation Army specializes in providing mass feeding at the time of natural disasters as well as providing financial resources to survivors as recovery efforts begin
Austin Community gets free hot meals
The Salvation Army has three mobile kitchens out providing food and hydration today but with most of the town and local businesses out of commission due to the continued power outage, the charity is opening up its building at 409 1st Ave NE for a hot meal for the entire community. The meal is generously provided by local restaurant Piggy Blues.
Last night 100s of fresh sandwiches were provided for the Salvation Army response by another local restaurant—Savory Skillet.
"They made all the sandwiches by candle light last night," said Major Marlys Anderson, Austin Salvation Army commander. "We couldn't serve like we do without this kind of outpouring from our local community. We are grateful, and believe me so are the residents who receive the help."
While the 5 p.m. meal is standard Salvation Army service during each work week, the noon meal will be evaluated on a daily basis as it is needed by the recovering community.
The Salvation Army is unable to serve food provided by residents so all donations of prepared food must be donated by local businesses or prepared in the Salvation Army commercial kitchen. Any business wanting to provide food for Salvation Army services should call the Austin Salvation Army at 507-437-4566.
Monetary donations can be made by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769) or online at www.thesalarmy.org