Hot meals served to thousands in days after Brainerd storm (video)
(Watch video) – In the seven days following the wind storm in the Brainerd Lakes area, The Salvation Army served a total of 2,734 meals and 1,250 snacks. After hurricane like winds left roughly 8,000 people without power, the hot meals were welcomed relief for families who had no way to cook.
“We knew very quickly that we were going to be called out,” explained Lt. Grant Holloway, Brainerd Salvation Army administrator. “By Monday morning we were ready to serve food and we did from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. all the way until Sunday.”
The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services mobile kitchen was parked at Timberwood Church in Nisswa, just north of Brainerd for a week after the storm. The church’s parking lot served as the command center for nonprofit agencies and law enforcement helping in the recovery effort. If anybody needed water, a meal, or help clear trees from their property–Timberwood was the place to go.
By Tuesday, the number of meals the Army served jumped from dozens a day to hundreds. The Nelson family took a break from clearing their property on a Wednesday morning and they looked like they had already put in a full day’s work.
“It took some strong convincing for our guys to quit,” explained Kristy Nelson. “I said just give us 20 minutes to grab a meal and we’ll get right back to work.”
The Salvation Army served the family pancakes and sausages out of its mobile kitchen. The Nelson’s were also able to grab any other snacks and all of the granola bars they cared to take.
“We’re making do,” explained Judy Nelson. “It could be a lot worse.”
The wind caused dozens of trees to fall on Judy’s property, fortunately the damage was limited and only one tree fell on the garage.
“The really good part of it,” explained Judy. “I haven’t heard of any deaths as a result of the storm as widespread as it was—thank God.”
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