28 March 2016

Dallas, Texas (March 19, 2016) – The Salvation Army continues to provide relief in flooded regions of Southeast Texas through assistance centers, fixed feeding sites, and roving catering trucks. 

Earlier this week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared 21 counties disaster areas due to severe rain and flooding. The AP reported the following counties: Angelina, Erath, Gregg, Hardin, Harrison, Hood, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Newton, Orange, Parker, Sabine, San Augustine, Tyler, and Henderson, Shelby, Smith and Walker.

At this time, The Salvation Army continues to coordinate with local and state emergency management as well as other voluntary agencies to meet the needs of the communities impacted by the flood waters. Both the State EOC and the Orange County EOC have reduce their activation level to normal operations.

The Salvation Army’s disaster warehouse in Beaumont remains prepped with clean-up kits, food boxes and other emergency supplies ready for distribution as needed.  Beginning Monday, March 21, The Salvation Army in Orange will be host to an Assistance Center and Fixed Feeding Site providing food & hydration, emergency cleaning supplies, family food boxes, hygiene kits and packing boxes.  This location (2286 MacArthur Drive) will also accept donated clothing.

Assistance and continued support is available in Newton at The Salvation Army Assistance Center & Fixed Feeding Site at 509 Main Street, Saturday from 9am to 3pm. This site is providing food & hydration, emergency cleaning supplies, family food boxes, hygiene kits, donated clothing and packing boxes.  Over the weekend, this assistance center and feeding site will be moved to join the operations in Deweyville, at the high school in order to better serve the community.

Currently in Deweyville, The Salvation Army has a fixed feeding site at Deweyville High School (171 TX-12).  In addition to a catering truck, food & hydration, and emergency cleaning supplies are also available. Services will expand once the Newton Assistance Center is joined with the Deweyville site.

Lt. Jeremy Walker of The Salvation Army Bryan/College Station Corps was deployed soon after the first signs of flooding. Lt. Walker shared, “This disaster has been unique since it is so wide spread and has affected multiple surrounding counties. Each day, we have been able to listen to people’s stories and share God’s love through a meal, cleaning supplies, and an encouraging word.  Our rapid response unit from Bryan/College Station manned by our corps’ volunteers has been able to serve meals, snacks and hydration to residents and first responders in regions severely impacted by the flood waters. Our unit is capable of going into areas where our mobile kitchens cannot reach, and when we see someone smile, we know it has provided comfort, relief, and has blessed them.”

Donations to support the ongoing Salvation Army response efforts can be made by texting STORM to 51555, or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or online at give.salvationarmyusa.org/texasfloodsandtornados

If you are interested in learning more about The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) in Texas, or to become a local disaster volunteer, please visit: www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

For the most up-to-date emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army in Texas, please visit: www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and follow latest updates on Twitter @SalArmyTXEDS and Facebook at www.facebook.com/SalArmyTXEDS.

About The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services:
“The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.” While every disaster is unique and creates its own special needs, the core of The Salvation Army's disaster program consists of several basic services. And while these services address many of the typical needs of a disaster survivor, Salvation Army disaster relief is also flexible. Our services are adapted to the specific needs of individuals and communities and scalable according to the magnitude of the disaster.

            -30-
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established 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 spent is used to carry out those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
February 5, 2010