September 13, 2005 - Since Katrina roared ashore along the Gulf Coast, The Salvation Army has been meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of over 500,000 disaster survivors. The Salvation Army has served over 1 million meals in response to Katrina and is providing direct aid to survivors in more than 30 states across the country. Salvation Army emergency disaster services vehicles (canteens) remain on the front lines of the disaster relief offering aid, hope and comfort to those in impacted areas across the Gulf Coast and beyond.
In addition to canteen service, The Salvation Army has opened many operations centers in immediately impacted areas where residents may come for assistance. In Alexandria, La., The Salvation Army has been caring for survivors since the beginning of the relief effort.
"The Salvation Army doesn't just give someone help and then treat them like a number. . . I don't think there is another organization that cares as much as The Salvation Army," said Captain Todd Brewer, in charge of The Salvation Army's work in Alexandria.
Currently, more than 31,000 people are being sheltered in Salvation Army facilities in seven states. In Midlothain, Texas, The Salvation Army is assisting 120 Hurricane survivors at its Camp Hoblitzelle. In addition to providing for basic needs, The Salvation Army has partnered with local businesses to provide free prescription refills, dental treatment and optical care. The Salvation Army is helping get children enrolled at local schools, has opened a child-care center so parents with small children can look for work and a place to relocate, and is providing family-focused activities for the people staying there.
"I have seen things that no one should ever see," said Patrick, a 19-year-old who slept on a bridge and in the Superdome before being evacuated. "Since I have been here in Texas nobody has treated us as well as The Salvation Army. They feed us, clothe us and give us what we need to get our lives back together."
Other survivors, who are not directly housed at Salvation Army facilities, are still receiving aid from the organization as Salvation Army personnel provide nutrition, clothes, hygiene items, counseling and other social service assistance in other shelters in local communities. The Salvation Army also is playing a major role at intake centers in cities throughout the nation where survivors who have been evacuated are coming for aid.
Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) continues to help reunite family and loved ones. For over two weeks, SATERN has been activated 24-hours-a-day. They have received more than 60,000 health and welfare inquiries and working with Computer Science Corporation have been able to locate 4,700 people. Health and Welfare inquiry forms can be found at www.salvationarmyusa.org
Numerous people and organizations have contributed both their time and money to assist The Salvation Army, including UPS which is helping The Salvation Army in Georgia to organize their warehouse operation.
"We are the recipients of the public's tremendous generosity, and we want to make sure the people in need receive this outpouring as soon as possible," said Major Paul Fuller, in charge of Salvation Army emergency disaster services in Georgia. "Because of that, efficiency and organization are vital. We need the expertise that UPS has to offer."
Monetary donations may be sent your local Salvation Army earmarked "Disaster Relief," made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.