Local Salvation Army Corps Preparing for Hurricane Florence
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Tammy Shank
Director of Development
2211 Park Ave, Lynchburg, VA
434-845-5939
[email protected]
Lynchburg, VA (September 10, 2018) – Local Salvation Army Corps are preparing as Hurricane Florence continues moving towards the eastern coast. "Our emergency disaster services division is communicating with local emergency management services throughout our region to determine what steps need to be taken now in preparation of the storm," stated Lynchburg Corps Officer and Regional Disaster Incident Commander Trey Jones.
The Salvation Army is encouraging everyone to create a disaster preparedness kit that includes items such as batteries, flash lights, water, sleeping bags/bedding, food for three days, needed medications and cash. In addition, The Salvation Army is coordinating with local government and disaster relief organizations to be ready if sheltering and large-scale feeding is needed. Additional mobile feeding units and personnel resources are on standby across the US in preparation to be deployed to the most impacted areas of North and South Carolina as well as Virginia. The community is encouraged to reach out to their local Salvation Army Corps for more information regarding disaster services provided in their specific areas. "We want to make sure we have resources in place locally to serve those in need depending on how Hurricane Florence moves in the next few days," stated Captain Jones. "As in everything we do, our goal is to help those who need us most."
The Salvation Army began offering assistance to disaster survivors in the year 1900 in the aftermath of the Galveston, TX hurricane. Since then, The Salvation Army has responded to numerous natural disasters, transportation accidents, civil unrest situations and terrorist attacks. By providing beverages, meals, and emotional and spiritual care to first responders and survivors, The Salvation Army strives to bring hope and healing to people who find themselves in the midst of extremely difficult situations.
# #
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 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.