PRESS RELEASE
Salvation Army on Scene After Levee Breaks
Staff, volunteers continue serving 24/7
March 29, 2009 – Last night when a levee gave way at Oak Grove Lutheran High School, a Salvation Army volunteer crew served refreshments to 125 people desperately working to maintain security for the homes surrounding the school. While the leak was not able to be contained, a contingency dike erected earlier managed to save the other surrounding homes. Salvation Army volunteers worked for nearly four hours as they gave rest to 20 workers at a time before they were rotated back into the recovery effort.
The windy conditions have been trouble for the volunteer-constructed dikes. The longer the river water remains above flood stage, the longer it will challenge the fortification. The Salvation Army's six mobile kitchens (canteens) continue to serve the dike walkers and others working to maintain security and safety. To date, more than 65,000 meals have been served, along with nearly 300,000 snacks and beverages. More than 500 Salvation Army volunteers have served alongside dozens of staff. Together they have put in 4,272 hours responding to this disaster.
A crew of two Salvation Army staff and dozens of volunteers are serving food at the Fargodome 24 hours a day, until the 500,000-sandbag quota is made. The sandbags are used to shore up any leaks in the nearly 50 miles of dikes guarding the Fargo/Moorhead area.
At the same time as disaster volunteers serve meals to area workers, the Fargo Salvation Army engages in its daily services to the community. One such service is outreach to the homeless and needy. On Sunday evening, a hot meal of ham and scalloped potatoes will be served to an expected 140 people at the Salvation Army service center on Roberts street. Each month 7,000 hot meals are served from the center.
Donations to The Salvation Army can be made by calling 800-SAL-ARMY or online by clicking below.
