Released 28 March 2009
Salvation Army
serves 24/7 in Fargo
Click here for photos
March 27,
2009 – When
announced yesterday that swelling Red River waters could
crest at 42 feet this Saturday—the highest level in history—the city of Fargo began emergency evacuation and sheltering.
Immediately, The Salvation Army transitioned to 24-hour emergency operations,
providing food, hydration, clean-up kits and emotional/spiritual support to
those displaced and those fighting to save the city from mass devastation.
Thousands are preparing to evacuate Fargo,
many ready to seek shelter in Bismarck or the Twin Cities due to limited local shelter. Already, three neighborhoods—approximately 300
homes—have been destroyed and one hospital closed, with patients transferred
elsewhere. In addition, The Salvation Army’s Fargo facility is being threatened by flood waters, which could force staff and
volunteers to move their disaster operation elsewhere.
The Salvation Army is doing everything possible to help
area communities. Three stationary feeding sites and ten mobile feeding units
(canteens and vans) are providing nourishment to Fargo residents and volunteers. To date, The Salvation Army of Fargo has spent 2,800
hours serving more than 43,900 prepared meals, 116,600 snacks and 106,500
drinks to more than 138,000 people.
Fargo, a
city of 90,000 and North Dakota’s
most populous, began preparing for evacuation when crest predictions grew and
temperatures plummeted, severely testing volunteers’ stamina and raising
concern that cold weather might jeopardize the stability of sandbag piles,
causing them to slide out of place. Authorities are also concerned that dikes
that hold for a few hours may break after a few days.
The Salvation Army is
diligently serving in all thirteen North Dakota and Minnesota counties effected by flooding, and will provide
critical assistance to impacted communities for as long as needed.
“We are not afraid,”
Fargo Salvation Army administrator Captain Adam Moore said this morning during
a meeting with 50 staff and volunteers. “While we are indeed concerned about
this flood and what it could do to our own facility, this community and the
families that are losing their homes need us. We will stand by their side every
step of the way.”
If you or someone you
know needs help, please call 651-746-3574. To volunteer in the Fargo area, please call FirstLink at 701-476-4000.
So far, The Salvation
Army has spent more than $148,500 on this effort. Donations to The Salvation
Army can be made by calling 800-SAL-ARMY, online by clicking below, or
by sending a check to The Salvation Army, 2445 Prior
Ave. N., Roseville, MN.
55113. All donations should be designated “Minnesota/North
Dakota Disaster Relief.”