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Hurricane Ian response update from The Salvation Army of Florida

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Tampa, Florida, (January 27, 2022) — After Hurricane Ian, The Salvation Army continues to support individuals and families affected by the historic storm.

Amidst the ruins of a building that has been severely damaged by fire just before Christmas, the Naples Corps (Collier County) undertakes the task of repairing its fire-damaged buildings in a timely manner, while also continuing to assist the local community with disaster relief at the same time.

Among the top critical recovery needs are housing, a problem already exacerbated by scarcity of affordable housing, in addition to repairs and rebuilds along with household items lost to the hurricane. Transportation also continues to be a need as many vehicles were flooded by surge and rising waters. These needs are not just in Lee County, or even the Southwest Coast of Florida, but instead are needs that disaster survivors are dealing with across the peninsula as Ian impacted more than just the coast.

There is a core mission of The Salvation Army which is to meet the needs of humans in his name, or, as Captain Ben Bridges, Commander of the Naples Corps, might say, “The Army is committed to doing the most good for as many people as possible.” A coordinated long term disaster recovery effort takes more than one agency or organization can provide.

“The Salvation Army works alongside numerous other groups that have the heart and passion to meet the needs of disaster survivors in the days, months, and years after Hurricane Ian. Coming together with other disaster response and recovery organizations leverages the resources of many. This will help all of those affected by disasters,” said Steven Hartsook, Director of The Salvation Army Florida Division, Emergency Disaster Services.

Though recovery efforts may take years, The Salvation Army is positioned to respond to widespread needs as efficiently and effectively as possible. Following the weeks of active response to Ian, deploying feeding units, disaster workers, and tens of thousands of pounds of product to support the impacted communities across the state, The Salvation Army now begins working with families and individuals as they work to recover from the storm.

Ian Service Delivery by the numbers

Emergency Financial Assistance – $829,602

Served Meals – 381,000

Beverages – 263,626

Snacks – 161,524

Emotional and Spiritual Care Contacts – 16,048

Bulk Distribution Items – 179,062

Hours Served by Disaster Workers – 399077

For more information on The Salvation Army’s continued long term recovery response, visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

To make a financial gift to support Hurricane Ian relief efforts:

  • Donate online: www.HelpSalvationArmy.org.
  • Donate by phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
  • Text-To-Donate: Text STORM to 51555 to donate to help disaster relief efforts.
  • Current media releases, updates, and information – www.disaster.salvationarm.org

One hundred percent of designated disaster donations go to direct services for survivors and first responders.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 30 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.

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Florida Power and Light and the Florida Division Team up to Offer Hurricane Ian Utility Assist

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Tampa, Florida (October 20, 2022) – As part of FPL’s Care to Share® program, the Salvation Army is offering financial assistance to eligible customers who need to repair damaged meter enclosures and weatherheads so that they can safely receive electricity.

Eligible applicants who require repair of damaged meter cans or weatherheads so that they can safely receive power can apply for financial assistance up to $2,000 by visiting //FPL.com/help, located under the Hurricane Ian repair section. Additionally, customers who wish to contribute to Care to Share may visit //FPL.com/help to support hurricane victims.

FPL’s Care to Share® program is made possible by the generosity of FPL employees, shareholders and customers who donate to help individuals and families who are experiencing temporary difficulties.

Together The Salvation Army and FPL are doing the most good.

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Polaris Vehicles Essential In Salvation Army Hurricane Response

Port Charlotte, FL – While many areas in Florida remain inaccessible due to Hurricane Ian’s storm surge, flood waters are slowly receding in others. Neighborhoods that were previously cut off are finally able to receive service. The Salvation Army teams on the ground in Florida utilized Polaris off-road vehicles today to distribute meals in neighborhoods still not accessible to canteens and larger vehicles.

Salvation Army teams loaded each Polaris with water and boxed lunches before heading out in search of people needing food. In addition to food and water, teams were sent to provide a listening ear and spiritual/emotional care to residents still processing the overwhelming experience of Ian’s arrival and destruction.

Captain Jeremy Mockabee, Chief of Operations for the Port Charlotte incident command team, was one of the team members on the ground.

“One of the Army’s great strengths is its ability to be flexible,” said Captain Mockabee. “This is never more prevalent than in times of crisis. We adapt, even in our vehicle response. The Polaris meets a specific need. Its size, speed, and versatility make it almost essential in meeting needs in places our other, larger vehicles would not be able to navigate.”

To date, The Salvation Army has distributed 33,048 meals and 29,086 drinks in Florida. Services will continue to increase as more and more communities become accessible to service.

To support The Salvation Army’s Hurricane Ian relief efforts, donate at http://helpsalvationarmy.org or 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

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Labor of Love: The Salvation Army Continues Feeding after Hurricane Ian

Labor of LoveChrissy Arambasich is a labor and delivery nurse at a hospital in Fort Meyers, Florida. She was on duty the night Hurricane Ian tore through the area. Not even record-breaking hurricanes can stop babies from being born.

Through tears, Chrissy spoke about struggling to care for others when you do not know if your own family is safe. “I work with amazing people. We took care of our patients, and then we took care of each other whenever we had a chance.”

The hospital parking lots flooded, and every person on shift that night lost their car. Chrissy’s family made it through the storm safely, but their house is no longer habitable. They are staying with her in-laws who live close enough to the hospital that she can walk to work with no car.

Chrissy and her family stopped for lunch and dinner from The Salvation Army canteen stationed on their street. “I’m just so thankful my friends and family are safe,” Chrissy cried. Her husband put his arm around her and added, “We haven’t had a hot meal in a week. This is so amazing.”

Before heading home with their meals, Chrissy and her family prayed with an Emotional Spiritual Care specialist from The Salvation Army. She said “We have always given to The Salvation Army, and we never thought we would be the ones needing help. I don’t know how long my kids will be out of school, but we will definitely be trying to volunteer. We want to support the people who have supported us.”

The Salvation Army will continue their efforts to reach neighborhood where people have not had access to food or supplies. To date, over 16,000 meals and 15,000 drinks have been served. With an incident command fully established, The Salvation Army intends to ramp up meal service in the next days.

To support The Salvation Army’s Hurricane Ian relief efforts, donate at http://helpsalvationarmy.org or 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

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Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi (ALM) Divisions Begin Serving Fort Myers after Historic Hurricane Ian

Catastrophic conditions make community support vital

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA (October 2, 2022) — Following a three-day trek to reach Fort Myers, The Salvation Army of Texas and ALM began serving survivors of Hurricane Ian on Saturday afternoon. A total of 1,335 meals and 895 drinks were served to residents of Fort Myers. Ian comes just days after Hurricane Fiona ravaged Puerto Rico, where The Salvation Army is still serving survivors and first responders.

Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 4 storm the night of Wednesday, Sept. 28, on the west coast of Florida. A heavy storm surge led to severe flooding conditions along the coastline.

“We had a long trip with a caravan of 15 mobile feeding units, trucks and support vehicles,” said Alvin Migues, Director of the Texas Division Emergency Disaster Services for The Salvation Army and Incident Commander for the Fort Myers Operation. “We have a great team of experienced officers, staff, and trained volunteers on the ground here and expect to be serving the Fort Myers community for many weeks to come.”

The Salvation Army disaster personnel are also collaborating with federal, state, and local emergency management agencies and other social services organizations in both locations to monitor ongoing impacts and adapt response efforts, if necessary.

A digital media kit with current disaster assets can be found here.

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