22 June 2015

OAKHURST, CA: Over the weekend, The Salvation Army provided care and support to evacuees affected by two separate fires in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Response began on Friday, as volunteers from the local Salvation Army Service Extension Center supplied 82 meals at the Red Cross Shelter at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, housing evacuees of the Sky Fire.

On Saturday, the Salvation Army Fresno Citadel Corps, with assistance from the Golden State Division, resumed operations, providing breakfast, lunch and dinner to both the Sierra Vista Church shelter, and a second shelter at Evangelical Free Church (“EV Free”), housing evacuees of the and the Corrine Lake Fire near North Folk.  By Saturday evening, 243 meals had been distributed to evacuees and shelter personnel.  In addition, age appropriate “Project Night Night” kits (containing a plush toy, story book, blanket and card) were distributed to the children in the shelters.

By Sunday, the three fires – though not fully contained – had moved away from residential areas, allowing residents to slowly return to their homes.  The Salvation Army provided breakfast and lunch – another 210 meals – to both shelters before evacuation orders were lifted.

While The Salvation Army’s support to the shelters ended Sunday night, teams of volunteers remain on standby as a third blaze now threatens the local communities.