When disaster strikes, we’re in it for the long-haul
Written by Ashley Grossman, Social Media and Content Manager for The Salvation Army Northern Division
When tornadoes, floods, fires and other disasters strike, we provide critical services – from serving meals and supplying cleanup kits to providing counseling for survivors and much more. We’re known for being the first service agency to arrive on scene 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. Check out the following three stories that highlight the dedication of our volunteers who serve their neighbors through difficult times.
Still serving in North Minneapolis
Imagine the experience of seeing a tree uprooted and fly down the street before your very eyes. That’s what happened when a tornado ripped through North Minneapolis and damaged or destroyed 3,700 properties.
In the days, weeks and months after the disaster, the N. Lyndale Ave. Salvation Army served thousands in the area by providing hot meals, groceries, hygiene products, clothing and furniture vouchers, gift cards, financial assistance and more.
It’s been nearly five and a half years since that devastating time, but today we continue to serve families still struggling in the aftermath. Recently, the worship and service center was remodeled and expanded to include a food shelf, where guests are invited to “shop” and choose their own groceries. For the first time, a hot meal is also being offered and every day 100 – 150 people are served.
International Falls responds to record flooding
Following several days of generous rain storms, the International Falls community pulled together to lessen the devastation of record floods along the Rainy River. Volunteers were called in to help make sandbags for residents who needed them.
To help alleviate the stress of a tasking week, The Salvation Army service extension team members provided thousands with hot meals, snacks and hydration out of their mobile kitchen to help sandbagging volunteers remain at their best. When situations on the scene became overwhelming, additional mobile kitchens were called in from Hibbing and Brainerd to help assist in the fight against rising floodwaters.
“We were providing fuel for the community – three meals a day and all of the snacks and fluids they needed to keep going,” said Envoy Beverly Mayfield, leader of the International Falls Salvation.
After a long week working around the clock, our mobile kitchens served more than 2,300 meals to volunteers that provided more than 500,000 sandbags to neighbors who needed them. The communities along the Rainy River breathed a collective sigh of relief after days of rain finally halted for 72 hours.
Busy in Brainerd
Over the past few years The Salvation Army in Brainerd has experienced its fair share of natural disaster-related emergencies.
This summer alone, our Emergency Disaster Services team in Brainerd has been called into action after violent weather ripped through Minnesota’s cabin county.
In June, our team served residents of the Placid Lake area in the aftermath of an EF2 tornado. The damaging winds toppled trees onto homes, caused roofs to fly off, and downed power lines. “We had a great response,” said Tom Isle, disaster volunteer. “One lad said, ‘Thanks for caring about us enough to come up and see for yourself.’ We also met Congressman Rick Nolan. He had some water and visited with us about the storm damage.”
More recently, teams responded to a call after a storm ripped through Itasca County. The small town of Ball Club needed a lot of help. The next morning, our Emergency Disaster Services volunteers were serving food, drinks and snacks out of their mobile kitchen. That day, our team delivered more than 500 bottles of water and hundreds of snacks. Later that week, officials declared a state of emergency in Itasca County.
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. To help people locally in times of disaster, please consider making an online donation today.