A disaster can change someone’s life in a matter of seconds. When tornadoes, floods and other disasters strike, we provide critical services to make sure survivors have the support needed to rebuild their lives.
In the event of a disaster, we’re your hub for updates on the most needed supplies and how you can help the survivors – by donating or training to volunteer. We train disaster volunteers year-round at locations in Minnesota and North Dakota. Train to become an on-call disaster volunteer.
We’re known for being the first service agency to arrive and the last to leave – our commitment is to help people through to the end. Once the dust settles, our staff and volunteers stay for weeks, months or even years until we’ve done all we can to help.
Click the links below to reveal a description of each service we provide during disaster recovery:
Meal Services
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.
Spiritual Ministry
When you feel hurt, upset or overwhelmed, turn to our staff and volunteers for support. They will pray with you in your time of need, while our officers can provide pastoral care.
Counseling
We’ll lend an ear to listen. No matter what’s on your mind, our staff and volunteers are trained in emotional and spiritual care to provide counseling in the wake of disasters.
Identification/Registration
During a major disaster, time is of the essence in letting families know their loved ones are safe. We locate survivors and provide information to their family and friends through our Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Network (SATERN).
Shelter
In major disasters, we set up hubs that provide shelter, meals and counseling, often working with other agencies. When the best option is a short-term hotel stay, we cover the bill.
Donated Goods
Each disaster is unique. We determine what the biggest needs are and seek out individuals and organizations who can provide these items to survivors. This includes food, water, toiletry items, clothes, cleaning supplies, blankets and much more.
Cleanup and Reconstruction
In major disasters, we can coordinate or assist with cleanup and reconstruction. We have troops of volunteers to enlist for large projects like this.
Financial Assistance
We know it won’t undo what’s been lost – but we can offer financial help as a step toward a brighter future. We have short-term grants for medicine, groceries and other pressing needs. When the road back to normal is a bit longer, we partner with other agencies to give you long-term financial help. What we give, you never have to worry about repaying.
Volunteer Services
We recruit, train and deploy disaster volunteers, sometimes by the thousands. We also help coordinate community volunteers during large-scale efforts.
Advocacy
Often our staff and volunteers respond to disasters in different states. No matter where your roots are, our social workers and human services aides help you enroll in local assistance programs.
We work closely with other disaster relief organizations and government agencies to maximize our impact and avoid duplicating services. We are also active members of the Minnesota and North Dakota chapters of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters.
