Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!
Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!
Disasters of Incredible Magnitude Call For People of Incredible Generosity.
We combat natural disasters with acts of God.
Disaster Relief
When tornadoes, floods, fires and other disasters strike, we provide critical services to ensure survivors have the support needed to rebuild their lives.
Our team serves communities across Minnesota and North Dakota, with local response units based in many cities including the Twin Cities and Fargo. See how our national disaster relief team also responds to disasters all over the world.
We’re known for being the first service agency to arrive and the last to leave. Once the dust settles, our staff and volunteers stay for weeks, months or even years until we’ve done all we can to help.
Here's a list of disaster services we may provide (read full descriptions):
- Meal services
- Spriritual Ministry
- Counseling
- Indentification/registration
- Shelter
- Donated goods
- Cleanup and reconstruction
- Financial assistance
- Volunteer staffing
- Advocacy
We need people to join our team who are ready and willing to help at any moment. Team members based in the Twin Cities will respond to local disasters and be eligible to travel with our disaster response team.
To be considered for service, complete the following steps:
- Complete an application and mail it to: The Salvation Army, Attn: EDS, 2445 Prior Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113
- Attend the required Introduction to Emergency Disaster Services and Disaster Food Services: Handling and Delivery training courses (view course descriptions)
We are always seeking skilled retired or semi-retired professionals to serve in a number of leadership functions.
We train disaster volunteers year-round at locations throughout Minnesota and North Dakota (find upcoming classes). For information about upcoming courses (view course descriptions) available in your area, call 651-746-3404.
In times of disaster, a monetary gift is the best way to offer comfort to survivors, as it allows us to focus on the most pressing need, be it water, meals or recovery supplies.
- Give online
- Mail a check to: The Salvation Army, 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113 with "Disaster" written in the memo line
- Call 800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769) 24 hours a day
Due to the expense of transporting goods, supply drives during disasters are not always the most efficient way to help and are considered on a case-by-case basis by calling 651-746-3404.
Enter your ZIP code below and contact your local Salvation Army to inquire about disaster relief needs in your community.
We combat natural disasters with acts of God.
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.
The Salvation Army helps meet the disaster survivors through:
As one of the nation's major emergency relief organizations, The Salvation Army recognizes the critical importance of being prepared for natural and man-made disasters. Therefore, we take steps to ensure our own ability to respond quickly and efficiently to a disaster while also working to educate other disaster professionals and the public at large about how to prepare for and respond to emergency situations.
Emergency response services are activated on short notice according to an agreed-upon notification procedure coordinated with federal, state and local governments. Typically, Salvation Army personnel and resources will congregate at predetermined staging areas, entering the impacted area only once government first-responders have indicated that it is safe and constructive to do so. These immediate response activities include food and hydration services, shelter, cleanup and emergency communication assistance to put victims in touch with their loved ones.
Depending on the magnitude of the disaster, The Salvation Army may continue providing immediate response services such as emergency shelter and food service well into the recovery process. Additionally, the Army will often coordinate with local, state and federal entities to develop and execute long-term strategic disaster recovery plans. These activities include restoration and rebuilding initiatives, disaster social services (to address essential living needs, medical expenses or funeral costs), and in-kind donation distribution to disaster victims.
We work closely with other disaster relief organizations and government agencies to maximize our impact and avoid duplicating services. We are also an active member of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD) and work with state and Federal agencies to provide assistance.
Our mobile kitchens travel the streets to provide hot meals to survivors and relief workers. We also set up meal stations near busy work sites or in community buildings where neighbors and volunteers gather for support.
We provide thousands of clean-up kits to disaster survivors annually so they are able to get started on the road to recovery.
When the road back to normal is a bit longer, we partner with other agencies to give you long-term financial help. You never have to worry about repaying anything we give.
As one of the nation's major emergency relief organizations, The Salvation Army recognizes the critical importance of being prepared for natural and man-made disasters. We recruit, train and deploy volunteers for local and national disasters. Volunteers can choose when and where they are available to deploy.
We need people like you, ready and willing to help at any moment, to join our team, so we proivde the necessary training and education. Whether you are a young adult, an expeirenced first responder, enjoying retirement or have a passion for helping others, we want you on our team. .
In the aftermath of a major disaster, The Salvation Army Emergency Radio Network provides communications and other technical assistance to Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) to enhance the response and effectiveness of what EDS does. SATERN may assist in handling Health and Welfare requests in times of emergency where normal communications media fails. SATERN also partners with cooperating emergency responders and/or disaster relief agencies, where needed, to provide communications media where infrastructure service has been interrupted or where infrastructure has been destroyed. SATERN members are Federally Licensed Amateur Radio Operators (HAMS). You can help disaster survivors by becoming a SATERN Member.
Depending on the magnitude of the disaster, The Salvation Army may continue providing immediate response services such as emergency shelter and food service well into the recovery process. Additionally, the Army will often coordinate with local, state and federal entities to develop and execute long-term strategic disaster recovery plans. These activities include restoration and rebuilding initiatives, disaster social services (to address essential living needs, medical expenses or funeral costs), and in-kind donation distribution to disaster victims.
Throughout the duration and aftermath of a major disaster, The Salvation Army provides spiritual comfort and emotional support upon request to victims and emergency workers coping with the stress of a catastrophe. Salvation Army counselors, who are often ordained as clergy (officers), may simply offer a "ministry of presence," but often people who know about The Salvation Army as representatives of God may ask for prayer or help from the Bible. Disaster relief and recovery services are provided to all in need without discrimination.