MEDIA RELEASE (10/10/2024)
The Salvation Army in Florida is currently wrapping up disaster relief in Big Bend, but will still be present represented by local units for those in need of ongoing recovery. For the past few days The Salvation Army across Florida has been planning for service delivery along the Gulf coast in preparation for Hurricane Milton. Hurricane Milton's arrival has prompted all emergency services to brace for unprecedented challenges in disaster response and recovery.
Since Tampa Bay and south to Sarasota was Milton's target area, base camp assets have been staged in our facility in Lakeland to minimize damage from Milton's extreme winds. This strategy will allow the teams already staged to quickly assess the situation and prepare for response when the area is cleared by the State Emergency Operations Center.
“Since many of us have recently returned from several days of deployment following Hurricane Helene, The Salvation Army didn’t take a breath as it was simultaneously preparing for the expected devastation of Milton,” says Major Marie Harris of The Salvation Army in Lake & Sumter Counties, and a Villager in Santo Domingo. “Many families who I was privileged to serve have gone through this unbelievable experience since Helene hit them, and are now bracing for Hurricane Milton. Despite this, nothing prevents The Salvation Army from responding to all those in need”.
Helene Relief Stats (The Salvation Army, Florida): (as of 8 am 10/8/2024)
Food Service
- 47025 Meals
- 16750 Meal Kits
- 24059 Drinks
- 24400 Snacks
- 18 Active Mobile Feeding Units
Emotional and Spiritual Care
- 6294 Emotional Spiritual Care Contacts
Products Distributed
- 3640 Cleanup kits (per kit)
- 1471 Comfort / Hygiene Kits (per kit)
- 0 Food Boxes (per order)
- 13 Infant Supplies (per order)
- 4744 Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) (per item)
- 2773 Water (per case)
- 69 Ice (per bag)
Service Time
- 99 disaster workers have given 12677 hours of service.
How To Help:
Give Online:
helpsalvationarmy.org
By Phone:
1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)
By Mail:
The Salvation Army
P.O. BOX 1959
Atlanta, GA 30301