The Salvation Army Is Ready To Respond To Hurricane Laura
The Salvation Army is ready to respond to Hurricane Laura. Trained Salvation Army staff and volunteers are prepared to move into Southwest Louisiana in response to Hurricane Laura, which is currently projected to strengthen to a Category 4 hurricane making landfall near the Texas/Louisiana border overnight or early Thursday morning. An Incident Command Team has been activated to operate out of Lake Charles, where The Salvation Army Lake Charles Corps has prepared for the Calcasieu Parish mandatory evacuation. The Salvation Army Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi Division has positioned 14 mobile feeding units, which can produce a combined total of about 10,000 meals per day, on standby and ready to serve affected areas throughout Louisiana.
“The Salvation Army of Lake Charles is prepared for Hurricane Laura,” stated Lieutenant Thomas Marion, Lake Charles Salvation Army Corps Officer. “All of our buildings are secured, and we are ready to serve by making the necessary preparations with staging emergency service vehicles and working with local authorities,” Lieutenant Marion added.
As natural disasters can increase mental stress, The Salvation Army's Emotional & Spiritual Care HOPEline remains available. Anyone needing a caring listener – whether because of natural disaster, COVID-19, or the stress of life in general – can call 844-458-HOPE (4673) for support. HOPEline hours are 8 AM to 11 PM CDT, 7 days a week. For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, follow the social feed on Twitter at @salarmyeds or visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org. To donate to The Salvation Army's disaster relief efforts, visit HelpSalvationArmy.org.
How can I help The Salvation Army in their response to Hurricane Laura?
Financial contributions are the best way to help during a disaster. A cash donation allows charitable relief agencies to use monetary contributions to purchase exactly what disaster survivors need. Monetary contributions are also easy to get to the disaster area. Supplies can almost always be purchased locally at the disaster site and provide savings in multiple ways. Money used to purchase needed items locally can support local and state economies, helping local businesses and workers, which have suffered losses in the wake of the disaster event. (All financial gifts received at a Corps or Divisional Headquarters must be sent to THQ, as soon as possible.)
- Mail: Mail checks to The Salvation Army, P.O. BOX 1959, Atlanta, GA 30301
- Please designate ‘Disaster Relief – Hurricane Laura' on all checks.
- Online: helpsalvationarmy.org
- Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
- Corporate matching gifts: Refer inquiries to Lashanda.valentine@uss.salvationarmy.org or disasterdonations@uss.salvationarmy.org.
How can I stay up-to-date on TSA response?
- For current media releases, updates and information: www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org
- For pictures and video: salvationarmysouth.org/laura
My church/Scout troop/PTA would like to have a clothing drive for those impacted.
In disasters, The Salvation Army's priority is to provide food, hydration, and emotional and spiritual care during the response. Financial donations are the best and most efficient way we can provide this support to the people in the affected communities. "You can support the work of your local Salvation Army by donating used clothing, furniture, or household goods to your nearest Salvation Army Family/Thrift Store."
Corporate Gifts and In-Kind Contributions
The Salvation Army is accepting corporate contributions of needed in-kind products and services. Large corporate gifts of non-perishable food, drink, and snack are particularly needed. Product offers will be screened by THQ for their usefulness to the disaster operation and, if needed, referred to the impacted division. Refer corporate gift offers to Greg Tuck, Potomac Divisional Development Director.
Emotional Care
As natural disasters can increase mental stress, The Salvation Army's Emotional & Spiritual Care HOPEline remains available. Anyone needing a caring listener – whether because of natural disaster, COVID-19, or the stress of life in general – can call 844-458-HOPE (4673) for support. HOPEline hours are 8 AM to 8 PM CDT, 7 days a week.
Please join in prayer for those in the path of the storm and the first responders at the front lines. Let us know if you have any questions regarding Hurricane Laura’s response. Thank you.