PRESS RELEASE: Into the Light

As the lights come up, The Salvation Army continues to meet the needs of Greater Baton Rouge.

In the Bible and throughout history, light symbolizes the good in any given situation. In times of disaster, it is no different. Light coming on is news. It is one of the tools used to determine progress toward recovery. Light is strived for. Baton Rouge is marching into the light.

As The Salvation Army’s 25 canteens went into seven Parishes of Greater Baton Rouge, they too ‘saw the light’ in many of those communities. “It’s good to see lights on, but there is still a need for you all out here,” said Frances while in the line at The Salvation Army canteen in Addis, Louisiana. Of course, Frances is right, The Salvation Army has a long history of meeting needs in and around Baton Rouge…‘tomorrow’ will be no different.

Today, in the light and heat of Greater Baton Rouge, The Salvation Army distributed 18,029 cold drinks, 9,402 snacks, and 22,453 hot meals. “Shrimp etouffee. I never expected to get that on from one of your trucks,” said Buddy when he picked up his dinner from The Salvation Army canteen in Donaldsonville, Louisiana.

As a sense of normalcy comes back to Baton Rouge—work, school, returning friends & family, and, of course, light—The Salvation Army is doing the same. Majors Stephen & Connie Long, the commanders here in Baton Rouge are moving toward the traditional role of The Salvation Army as a leading force of change in the lives of the less fortunate.

“Canteens will continue to serve in the communities where we are needed, but we are also going to start the other phases of social services that will allow our neighbors to get back to their life.” – Major Stephen Long.

The Salvation Army will have a supply of food boxes and ‘clean-up kits’ to aid in this effort as the light continues to grow. When you look ‘behind the red shield’ of The Salvation Army, you see the inner workings that facilitate change. For many, The Salvation Army is a light, and more importantly, for some it is a path to the light.

Tomorrow as the light shines—inside and out—Salvation Army canteens will once again be in Greater Baton Rouge serving hot meals and cold drinks, with a compassionate heart.


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The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by Hurricane Gustav to visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Monetary donations are needed to meet survivors’ most immediate needs. A $100 donation will feed a family of four for two days, provide two cases of drinking water and one household cleanup kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning supplies. The Salvation Army is currently not accepting donations of clothing and furniture for storm victims, please forward these donations to The Salvation Army Family Store nearest you.