The Salvation Army has served more than 20,000 meals in response to the devastating tornadoes that hit Greensburg, Kansas, in the USA over a week ago.
A total of four Salvation Army emergency disaster service mobile canteens are in Greensburg helping to feed law enforcement officers, search and rescue crews and displaced residents. Each of the canteens is capable of serving up to 2,000 people per day. The organisation also reports that it has 49 staff and volunteers on-site.A killer mile-wide twister which reached winds of 205-mph ripped through the small farming town of Greensburg on 4 May, leaving nearly the entire town demolished or heavily damaged.
In addition to food, The Salvation Army is providing direct financial assistance to tornado survivors. As of Monday, there were 1,417 individuals receiving direct financial assistance in the form of vouchers to obtain basic necessities, such as food, clothing, personal care items and prescriptions. The financial assistance through vouchers amount to $147,549, according to the group.
Businesses across the US have been supportive of The Salvation Army's efforts, lending financial support to its works. Among the businesses that have contributed are Wal-Mart in Pratt, Kansas, donating $20,000; Land O'Lakes in St. Paul, Minnesota, matching employee donations; and Koch Industries in Wichita, Kansas, matching employee donations up to $25,000 toward tornado relief efforts.
The Salvation Army, established in 1865, is an evangelical Christian organisation helping those in need around the world. Over 31 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services offered including food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children.
