The Salvation Army is responding to the catastrophic flooding in the Houston area and providing relief to first responders and survivors. Since Hurricane Harvey will likely impact more people than Hurricane Katrina, The Salvation Army is establishing multiple staging areas throughout Texas including San Antonio, Victoria, Arlington and Houston to coordinate relief efforts.
The Salvation Army's national network of trained disaster staff and volunteers that has been deployed to Texas is providing food boxes, bottled water, cleanup kits and comfort kits. Staff and volunteers are also serving at emergency shelters and staffing emergency operations centers.
"Every team being deployed in Texas can provide food, hydration, and emotional and spiritual care to those impacted by this weather event," said Lt. Col. Ronnie Raymer, divisional commander for The Salvation Army in Texas. "We're uniquely positioned to provide support and relief to Houston and communities along the Gulf Coast."
The Salvation Army has deployed 42 mobile feeding units that each can provide up to 1,500 meals per day, along with two field kitchens that each can serve up to 15,000 meals per day. As of Monday, The Salvation Army has provided more than 5,000 meals, 5,500 drinks and 5,600 snacks.
"Donations from the generous public will help provide food, shelter and other valuable resources to Houstonians in need," said Lt. Col. Ron Busroe, The Salvation Army's National Community Relations and Development Secretary. "With public support, The Salvation Army will be here to help the thousands affected by Hurricane Harvey for as long as they're in need."
Response efforts to this hurricane and flooding are expected to be costly and last for years. The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation.To contribute to The Salvation Army's Hurricane Harvey disaster relief efforts, visit HelpSalvationArmy. org, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or text "STORM" to 51555.