PRESS RELEASE
Salvation Army Continues Ice Storm Response in Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma
January 19, 2007 -Salvation Army emergency disaster services personnel continue to provide aid in Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma after an historic ice storm caused 75,000-125,000 households in Oklahoma alone to lose power. The Salvation Army is working with local and state emergency management officials and other relief organizations in all three states to ensure residents receive the aid they need.
In Springfield, Mo., The Salvation Army has been providing shelter and serving meals to residents struggling with the loss of power. With many emergency shelters ceasing operations, The Salvation Army’s shelter is seeing an increase in people needing a warm place to rest. The Salvation Army is serving three meals a day to shelter guests as well as others in the community in need of a hot meal.
“The Salvation Army has served 6,500 meals to people staying in our shelter, those who just need a meal and people in surrounding communities,” said Major Grainger, who oversees The Salvation Army’s work in Springfield.
With the prediction of a major snow storm to hit Oklahoma tonight, there is concern that there will be additional outages and delays in restoring power to areas already suffering following the ice storm.
The Salvation Army is overseeing feeding at 10 Oklahoma shelters supported by the American Red Cross in Pryor, Locust Grove, Langley, Spavinaw, Chouteau, Kansas and Grove, and delivering meals to people in surrounding rural communities. The Salvation Army also provided meals for inmates at Delaware County Jail until yesterday. In addition, Salvation Army personnel have provided meals and snacks to people in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Sand Springs, Sapulpa and Bristow, Okla.
Though Salvation Army centers in McAlester and Muskogee, Okla., remain without power, both are continuing to serve the public. A Salvation Army emergency disaster services vehicle (canteen) generator is being used to power The Salvation Army center in Muskogee. Meals are being served from this location and area residents in need of emergency prescription assistance also can find help there.
In Arkansas, The Salvation Army has provided assistance in Decatur, Vista and Sulphur Springs. Since the beginning of the storm, Salvation Army personnel have served 6,000 meals as well as snacks and drinks to Arkansas residents affected by the ice storm.
The Salvation Army is a leader in Christian faith based human services including disaster response throughout the globe. To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a credit card donation, call 651-746-3400 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks earmarked "Disaster Relief" may be sent to The Salvation Army at 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113. Click below to make an online donation.
