The Salvation Army Nationally, Including Personnel from Western Pennsylvania, Responds to Hurricanes Irma and Harvey

CARNEGIE, Pa., Sept. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- With a presence in every zip code in the United States, The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to support those affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. Our national network of trained disaster staff and volunteers have been deployed to several locations to provide food, hydration, clean-up kits, hygiene supplies, and emotional and spiritual care to first responders and survivors. Multiple staging and logistical centers have been established throughout southeastern and Gulf Coast states.

Today, the Assistant Emergency Disaster Services Director from The Western PA Division of The Salvation Army out of Greentree, as well as Captain Kevin Johnson of the Clearfield Salvation Army, are enroute to Florida.  Crosson to Naples, and Captain Johnson to Ft. Myers.   Yesterday, a team of volunteers from New Kensington headed out in a canteen full of supplies headed for Florida as well.  This team consists of Joel Brown (Crew Chief), David Powers and Albert Johnson. Additional on the ground support from the local division may be requested in the future for both Texas and Florida.  For more information about being trained as an Emergency Disaster Services volunteer, or to volunteer for The Salvation Army in other capacities, please visit our website for more information at: wpa.salvationarmy.org/WesternPennsylvania/volunteer-sign-up-form.

 "Response efforts to these catastrophic weather events will be costly and last for years," said Lt. Col. Ron Busroe, The Salvation Army's National Community Relations and Development Secretary. "With generous public support, The Salvation Army will be here to help the millions affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma for as long as they're in need."

100 percent of designated gifts will be used in support of those affected by both weather events.

Disaster Relief Overview (9/11) – 4:30 p.m. CST/ 5:30 p.m. EST

Hurricane Irma

• Deployed 18 active mobile feeding units
• Each mobile feeding unit can serve up to 1,500 meals per day
• Served 47,524 meals
• Served 43,839 drinks
• Served 20,580 snacks
• Provided emotional spiritual care to 4,912 individuals
• Provided shelter for 3,438 individuals
• Provided 9,182 hours of employee and volunteer service

Hurricane Harvey

• Deployed 78 active mobile feeding units and 96 at peak
• Each mobile feeding unit can serve up to 1,500 meals per day
• Set up 3 active field kitchens
• Each field kitchen can serve up to 15,000 meals per day
• Served 446,158 meals
• Distributed 6,771 food boxes
• Served 496,369 drinks
• Served 396,973 snacks
• Distributed 11,022 comfort kits
• Distributed 3,335 clean-up kits
• Provided emotional and spiritual care to 23,694 first responders and survivors
• Provided shelter for 2,917 individuals
• Provided 65,468 hours of employee and volunteer service

To contribute to The Salvation Army's Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma disaster relief efforts, visit HelpSalvationArmy.org, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or text "STORM" to 51555.

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need without discrimination for more than 135 years in the U.S. More than 25 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: 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. The Salvation Army tracks the level of need across the country with the Human Needs Index (HumanNeedsIndex.org). The Salvation Army has served survivors of every major national disaster since 1900. The Salvation Army does not place an administrative fee on disaster donations. During emergency disasters, 100 percent of designated gifts are used to support specific relief efforts. For more information, go to SalvationArmyUSA.org or follow on Twitter @SalvationArmyUSA

SOURCE The Salvation Army Western PA Division