PRESS RELEASE: Disasters - Personal and Public

Working Miracles Every Day


BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ “This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System.” This sound can so often annoy us, especially when a favorite song is playing on the radio. This is a sound that reminds us of the delicate balance between man and nature. This is a sound for which The Salvation Army prepares.

Emergency Disaster Services is what The Salvation Army does EVERY DAY. It is most visible when we respond to the community-wide disasters that strike indiscriminately. But far more often, The Salvation Army responds to very personal disasters. Last year in Baton Rouge, The Salvation Army responded to 17,183 personal disasters.

On September 1, 2008 The Salvation Army was already in place to respond to Hurricane Gustav. The Salvation Army has been actively involved in meeting the changing needs of Greater Baton Rouge. A significant part of that disaster service is the distribution of 155,625 meals thus far.

The Salvation Army is also distributing clean-up kits, food boxes, and providing basic social services from their thrift store from their center at 7631 Airline Highway in Baton Rouge. This distribution will take place between 9:00 a.m. and noon, Monday through Friday; until either the need, or the supply is exhausted.

The Salvation Army plans extensively for disasters—large and small. Hurricanes, tornados, floods, homelessness, addictions, and hunger; The Salvation Army prepares for them all. Even as The Salvation Army continues its response to Gustav—moving into recovery efforts—there is a Salvation Army force mobilizing to respond to Ike.

“...the Emergency Broadcast System…” and “…thank you for calling The Salvation Army…” Both may be followed by an announcement of a disaster. Both are for systems that make preparations for those disasters. In times of disaster, both are followed by the steps for safety and success.

The Salvation Army in Baton Rouge is working every day to meet those disasters—large and small…public and private.


HURRICANE GUSTAV
SERVICE-AT-A-GLANCE

Service Day 10
18,255 Meals Served Today
6,752 Snacks Served Today
12,088 Drinks Served Today
155,625 Total Meals Served-To-Date
65,383 Meals Served in East Baton Rouge Parish
22,282 Meals Served in West Baton Rouge Parish
17,078 Meals Served in Livingston Parish
22,896 Meals Served in Iberville Parish
8,709 Meals Served in Ascension Parish
6,475 Meals Served in Pointe Coupee Parish
2,138 Meals Served in St. Mary's Parish
6,984 Meals Served in East Feliciana
2,680 Meals Served in West Feliciana
14,957 Total Hours Served-To-Date
18 Canteens in service in Greater Baton Rouge
Plus an additional four (4) canteens rotating for maintenance
Five (5) canteens released to Texas, staging for Ike.
3 Cooking Kitchens
Two Baptist Kitchens
One Salvation Army Kitchen
83 additional Salvation Army workers currently in Baton Rouge to serve
Plus an additional 87 staff and program participants already here

Countless lives touched in the 103 years The Salvation Army has been serving Baton Rouge

For details on canteen feeding locations or Salvation Army distribution, contact The Salvation Army at 225-355-4483.


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.