Ten Year's Later:
The Salvation Army’s Response to The 9/11 Attacks
On September 11, 2001, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks on passenger airliners left thousands dead and hundreds of thousands more in need. The Salvation Army was closely involved with the recovery process for survivors in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. following the tragic events of 9/11.
Arriving within a half-hour of the first plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, The Salvation Army was one of the first relief organizations to arrive on the scene at “Ground Zero” and provided extensive support for relief workers and volunteers. The Army continued to support recovery efforts throughout the months-long clean-up process. In the months and years that followed, The Salvation Army assisted thousands of people impacted by the September 11 attacks with practical assistance as well as spiritual and emotional care.
Major Activities:
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The Salvation Army continued to serve the immediate needs of those who were displaced following the attacks in a variety of ways, including rent and utility assistance, job placement and referrals for health care needs.
oFor instance, the Army worked directly with landlords, utility companies and other vendors in New York City to pay necessary bills for survivors, ensuring they were not evicted and that the lights and phone were kept on.
oThe Salvation Army allocated resources toward long-term assistance programs, including an extensive $4 million crisis counseling program for nearly 6,000 people impacted by the tragedy..
oAt its peak, the Army was working with 1,400 open cases at any given time.
oThe program remained active until January 1, 2007.
•In total, the Greater New York Division of The Salvation Army served more than 59,000 people through 9/11-related, long-term assistance programs. Services provided by The Salvation Army’s World Trade Center Recovery Program included:
oClothing and Food Assistance
oCrisis Counseling and Group Therapy
oChild Care
oEmployment Training and Placement
oFEMA Filing Assistance
oFinal Expenses – Funeral/Burial
oFinancial Assistance and Counseling
oHealthcare Referral Assistance
oHousing and Utilities Assistance
oHomelessness Services (Homeward Bound and other programs)
oImmigration Assistance
oLegal Assistance
oPublic Benefits Assistance
oSmall Business Services
oSpiritual Counseling
oSubstance Abuse Counseling
oTransportation Assistance
•In response to the simultaneous attack at the Pentagon, The National Capital and Virginia Division of The Salvation Army:
oProvided aid and comfort to relief workers and survivors at the Pentagon site, serving meals and drinks while offering spiritual counseling and support.
oAssisted more than 17,000 survivors and their families with direct social service aid, allocating in excess of $7 million.
•The New Jersey Division of The Salvation Army played a major role in relief efforts in New York by:
oSetting up temporary shelters, feeding stations and pastoral counseling services.
oAssisting in the Liberty State Park Family Assistance Center.
oRunning warehouse operations for delivering supplies into New York City.
o Providing a mobile canteen at the NYC Medical Examiner's Office.
oOverall, from 9/11/01 until 3/30/02 the New Jersey Division served 10,198 people (3,096 households).
•Following the crash of United Flight #93 outside Shanksville, PA, The Western Pennsylvania Division of The Salvation Army responded to the needs of relief workers and victims’ families at the crash site by:
oServing nearly 20,000 meals
oPerforming 5 worship services
oProviding a total of 13,000 volunteer hours
•Because The Salvation Army already provides all of these services 365 days a year throughout the country, it had a ready and willing pool of social workers and counselors available to assist with the needs of the community in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
•The American public donated $86 million to The Salvation Army to respond to
the 9/11 attacks.
oThe majority of the money was used within the first year and a half following the attacks to provide practical items and services including: food for rescue workers and volunteers, steel-toed boots, socks, eye drops, rest stations and other items related to the recovery and clean-up at Ground Zero.
oRemaining funds were allocated to provide for longer-term needs of victim’s families and others affected by the tragedy.
oMeals and relief services were also offered at the Pentagon and at the crash site of United Airlines Flight #93.
The Salvation Army was one of the last agencies to march out of the crash site.
The Salvation Army Preparing for Hurricane Irene
Tampa, Florida (August 22, 2011) - With more than 40 canteens (mobile kitchens), shower trailers, field kitchens, and additional logistics equipment across the state, The Florida Division of The Salvation Army is taking Hurricane Irene very seriously. Currently models are showing a significant impact from Palm Beach County stretching to the Florida-Georgia border. While the forecast keeps the eye of the storm just off the coast, there is a significant possibility that as it moves north, Hurricane Irene will produce severe storms and possibly numerous tornado warnings and potential flooding.
At this time these mobile kitchens that are strategically placed around Florida are gearing up to support a response along the east coast. If Irene passes without significant damage in Florida, the units will be available to support our neighboring states from Georgia to North Carolina. This morning Director Kevin Smith spoke with the Georgia Divisional Director pledging support should they need it. “The reality is, if a storm that makes landfall from Jacksonville to Savannah, we will work together to meet the needs of Hurricane survivors and responders.” Smith said.
It has been since 1964 when Hurricane Dora made landfall in the Jacksonville-Savannah area. “We know that in cases like this many of the population tend to think they are not vulnerable to the impacts of a hurricane.” Smith reiterates, “This is the reason we see so many unprepared when the storm actually makes landfall.”
In 2004 there were many residents in St. Lucie County, Florida that felt the same way. Yet three weeks later they were reeling from the impacts of two Hurricanes. Many people found themselves needing life sustaining support because they believed they were invulnerable and did not prepare. The Salvation Army is asking residents of the entire east coast of Florida to be ready, get a plan, and know your options. Critical decisions need to be made now, not in the middle of the storm.
Resources, preparedness tools and the latest information can be found at www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.
Salvation Army Volunteers have Donated 1,110 Hours to Wallow Fire EvacueesReleased 14 June 2011
Phoenix, AZ (June 14, 2011) - The Salvation Army is able to continue services to Wallow Fire evacuees in large part to our dedicated volunteers. Volunteers have been assisting with disaster services since day one.
"The community is always so willing to assist The Salvation Army during disasters. More than 150 volunteers have donated 1,110 hours to The Salvation Army disaster services for the Wallow Fires. We are so grateful for their support," stated Jim Puza, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Director.
The Salvation Army continues to provide meal services to the Wallow Fire evacuees. Over the past 13 days, 2,700 meals, 673 snacks and 206 food boxes have been provided to the community. Mobile feeding services will continue until the reentry is allowed for Alpine, Nutrioso and Greer. Planning has also started to determine The Salvation Army role in recovery assistance.
The community can support the efforts of The Salvation Army by making a monetary donation.
The Salvation Army Food Service Increasing for
Wallow Fire Evacuees
Phoenix, AZ (June 11, 2011) - The Salvation Army continues to provide three meals a day to fire evacuees at the shelter and through mobile outreach. The amount of meals per service has continued to increase daily. The Salvation Army has provided more than 1,700 meals to the community.
"The longer the evacuees are displaced, the need for community assistance continues to increase. It starts to become a financial burden for these evacuees, The Salvation Army's meal service is available to alleviate some of the burden," stated Jim Puza, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Director.
Today, The Salvation Army White Mountain Outpost received a shipment of supplies from the Phoenix Salvation Army. Supplies such as boxes, coffee, and kitchen supplies were delivered to restock the mobile kitchen.
The community can support the efforts of The Salvation Army by making a monetary donation.
Bashas', Food City, and AJ's Stores Collect Money to help with Disaster Relief Efforts
ARIZONA (June 10, 2011) - Arizonans can now donate to help Wallow Fire victims at any one of the 130 Bashas', Food City and AJ's Fine Foods locations across the state. Bashas', Food City and AJ's Fine Foods established a partnership with The Salvation Army to collect donations at their cash registers for emergency disaster efforts for Wallow Fire victims.
"The Salvation Army is very grateful that Bashas', Food City and AJ's are all providing an outlet for the community to donate," said Colonel Joe Posillico, Southwest Divisional Commander. "One hundred percent of these donations will help aid the victims of the Wallow Fire through the different stages of our disaster relief efforts."
The Salvation Army has been feeding evacuees since Thursday, June 2, 2011. More than 1,400 meals have been provided to the community to date, with many more expected. The Salvation Army will continue feeding services while the shelter remains open.
Bashas' Family of Stores has been assisting firefighters and affected families in the area with bottled water, Gatorade, ice cream and meals since last week. The grocer continues to deliver a truckload of food each day to its Bashas' supermarket in Eagar, which is being used as a command center for firefighters and first responders.
"Thousands of our fellow Arizonans are facing heartbreaking loss right now," said Kristy Nied, Director of Communications for Bashas' Family of Stores. "We knew our members, vendors and customers would want to be a part of this relief effort."
For photos of Salvation Army Disaster Services visit Facebook.com/PhxSalArmy and Facebook.com/Bashas' Supermarkets.
The Salvation Army Las Vegas Emergency Disaster Team Deployed to Wallow Fire
Phoenix, AZ (June 9, 2011) - The Salvation Army Las Vegas Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) team departed this morning at 6 a.m. to Lakeside, AZ. The five member team is equipped with a mobile kitchen, support truck, and food services supplies.
"When the evacuation of Eager and Springerville was announced, The Salvation Army knew it was time to bring in more support staff," stated Jim Puza, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Director.
The Salvation Army continues to provide meals at the Red Cross Shelter located at Blue Ridge High School in Lakeside, AZ. Today, mobile outreach will begin for evacuees camping around Lakeside. The mobile kitchen has been providing meals for seven days, serving more than 1,000 meals to fire evacuees.
The community can support the efforts of The Salvation Army by making a monetary donation .
The Salvation Army White Mountain's Outpost Feeding Wallow Fire Evacuees
Phoenix, AZ (June 7, 2011) – The Salvation Army continues to provide meals at the Red Cross Shelter located at Blue Ridge High School in Lakeside, AZ. The Salvation Army White Mountain Outpost’s mobile kitchen is preparing three meals a day for the Wallow Fire evacuees.
“The Salvation Army will continue to offer services to evacuees as long as the shelter is in operation. Other units are on standby to deploy if the Wallow Fire forces more cities to evacuate,” stated Jim Puza, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Director.
Today, The Amerian Peaks Lodge evacuated their premises due to the proximately of the fire. As a result, the restaurant has graciously donated their perishable foods to The Salvation Army disaster services, an in-kind donation of more than $5,000. Thanks to this wonderful donation, The Salvation Army will be providing a nontraditional steak and shrimp meal tonight.
The shelter has been open for six days, during this time more than 350 meals have been provided to the public.
The Salvation Army Assists Tornado Survivors in Reading, Kansas
Mass Feeding Efforts Continue in Hard-Hit Reading, Kansas
KANSAS CITY, MO – The Salvation Army continues to provide support today to the town of Reading, Kansas, after a tornado damaged much of the community last night.
A team of Salvation Army emergency disaster service workers based out of Emporia arrived in Reading at 1 am this morning to assist survivors and first responders. The team will continue to provide support today by offering meals, snacks and drinks from a mobile feeding kitchen and also through emotional and spiritual support.
“We are here to serve in whatever way we can,” said Dee Smith, director of emergency disaster services for The Salvation Army. “And we will not leave until all the needs in Reading are met.”
Financial donations to The Salvation Army to assist tornado survivors are welcome. Text the word ARMY to 90999 to make an automatic $10 donation, or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks may be mailed to The Salvation Army, 3637 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111. Designate the donation “Reading Tornado”. To donate online, go to www.salvationarmy.us.
The Salvation Army Responds to Devastation in Japan
and is on Standby and Ready to Help along the U.S. Pacific Coast
Early Friday morning, March 11 a tsunami slammed Japan's eastern coast following a large earthquake with rocked the region. Early reports indicate extensive damage to property and significant loss of life.
Salvation Army personnel are assessing the damage and initiating recovery efforts. Word has been received from Japan’s Territorial Commander, Commissioner Makoto Yoshida. The Commissioner writes,
“It is reported that there are more than 60 dead confirmed so far and many more missing. The number of houses destroyed are not yet known. The most damaged city is Sendai which is about 400 km away from Tokyo. Still our building swayed tremendously. It was hard for us to keep standing. Many of us were really frightened. We are sending a team to Sendai tonight and start tomorrow providing the basic necessities as well as assessing the level of damages and what we can do from now on. Even in Tokyo the whole public transports stopped and many a commuters could not go home. We opened our hall on the ground floor of our territorial headquarters building to those who could not go home. We were able to serve them with hot drinks and packed meals. Thank you for your interest and prayers.”
Currently, those interested in aiding the relief effort are encouraged to give financial donations, which offer great flexibility and enable local disaster responders to purchase exactly what is needed as close to the disaster zone as possible.
There are four ways people can contribute money to The Salvation Army's 'Japan Earthquake / Tsunamis' disaster relief efforts:
- Text the words “Japan” or “Quake” to 80888 to make a $10 donation.
- By phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY -- designate gift for 'Japan Earthquake / Tsunamis'
- On-line at: www.salvationarmy.usawest.org -- designate gift for 'Japan Earthquake / Tsunamis'
- By mail: Send your check, marked 'Japan Earthquake / Tsunamis' to
The Salvation Army World Service Office
International Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728
Salvation Army units up and down the U.S. Pacific Coast and in the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands are on standby and ready to help. At this time, The Salvation Army is not accepting in-kind donations from the general public for disaster relief operations in Japan.
Keep in mind it will be extremely difficult and expensive to ship in-kind donations overseas from the United States to Japan. It is more efficient for disaster relief agencies to purchase needed resources locally and for immediate distribution with the disaster area. The best way for U.S. donors to help Japanese disaster survivors is to make a cash donation. Please note that your local The Salvation Army continues to accept donations of used clothing, furniture and other items to support local programming. Please consider donating your used items to your local Salvation Army Thrift Store.
Since 1895, The Salvation Army has provided emotional, spiritual, and physical care to individuals and families in need throughout Japan. Currently, 81 active officers and 1,068 employees operate 57 church and community centers (Corps), 12 small social service stations (outposts), 2 hospitals, and more than 20 institutions serving children, seniors, the addicted, and other at-risk populations. Due to the Army’s extensive presence, it is unlikely that volunteers from the United States will be needed for initial recovery operations.
High Council elects 19th general of The Salvation Army
Released 31 January 2011
The Salvation Army has today announced its new world leader and the 19th General will be Canadian-born Commissioner Linda Bond.
Commissioner Bond becomes the third woman and the fourth Canadian to hold the post of General of The Salvation Army since the international church and charity organisation was founded 146 years ago.
The commissioner, who currently heads up the church and registered charity's work in the Australian Eastern Territory, was elected by The High Council of The Salvation Army made up of senior leaders from around the world who met this week in Sunbury-on-Thames near London.
Commissioner Linda Bond (64) will have the title General-elect until she succeeds the current world leader General Shaw Clifton, who retires at the beginning of April.
Once in post as General of The Salvation Army, the commissioner will become the head of more than one million Salvationists in 123 countries. The Salvation Army also has more than 100,000 employees who between them communicate in 175 different languages.
In recent days and months, The Salvation Army has been involved in relief work in the aftermath of the Australian floods, the devastating mudslide in Brazil, floods in Sri Lanka, and the New Zealand earthquake.
Commissioner Bond comes to the role of General of The Salvation Army with 42 years' experience of Christian ministry and leadership.
Since 2008 Commissioner Bond has headed up The Salvation Army's work across Eastern Australia, a huge territory with its headquarters in Sydney. This includes the recently devastated state of Queensland where The Salvation Army continues to be heavily involved in assisting victims of widespread flooding.
Prior to this, the commissioner worked at Salvation Army International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, as the Secretary for Spiritual Life Development and International External Relations. This was her second spell at IHQ where she had previously served as Under Secretary for Personnel in the mid 1990s.
As a Salvation Army officer (ordained minister of religion and leader) Commissioner Bond has served in local corps (church) ministry, on the staff of Salvation Army national and regional (divisional) headquarters and as part of the training staff for new officers in her home territory of Canada and Bermuda. During those years she also served as a divisional and subsequently a leader of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda.
Other appointments have included divisional leadership roles in the Manchester region of the United Kingdom between 1998 and 1999, and as Territorial Leader in the USA Western Territory of The Salvation Army.
The announcement of the new General of The Salvation Army was broadcast live on the worldwide web. Speaking just after her election Commissioner Bond said:
‘I love the Lord Jesus Christ and pledge my utmost obedience to him. I am absolutely committed to a life of praise and thanksgiving to God. We, the Salvation Army need to be an Army of praise and thanksgiving to God and we must place our trust in God. We need his Holy Spirit to come mightily on The Salvation Army.'
During the past five years under the leadership of General Shaw Clifton, the work of The Salvation Army has expanded into 12 new countries. The Salvation Army is now in 123 countries. During his term General Clifton established the Salvation Army's International Social Justice Commission, based in New York USA and the Army's Centre for Spiritual Life Development in London. The General and Commissioner Helen Clifton have also actively worked to aid the plight of struggling women and children around the world, including mobilising The Salvation Army in a concerted effort against human trafficking. Increasing the role of women in Salvation Army leadership has been of special concern to General Clifton and he has appointed many more women to senior leadership positions around the world than has occurred previously.
The Salvation Army is an international Christian church and registered charity and is one of the largest providers of social welfare in the world. The General directs Salvation Army operations throughout the world via International Headquarters in the City of London. Programmes include accommodation for homeless men, women, children and families; drug rehabilitation centres; schools; hospitals and clinics; HIV/Aids projects, micro-credit schemes, training centres and day-care facilities. Support is also offered through nearly 15,000 local church and community centres.
The Salvation Army across the world increasingly uses the internet and social media to share its Christian message and news about its mission, so it was appropriate that news from the High Council 2011 was shared in this way.
The webcast of the opening service, the Welcome to the High Council and the Salute to General Shaw Clifton, has to date been accessed by more than 20,000 individual computers, with many more thousands expected to have viewed the service. For the first time social media was used to share information about the progress of the High Council in London, with many thousands of people receiving information through Facebook, Twitter and Flickr and more than 3,000 people receiving email news alerts.
Release prepared in conjunction with United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland Communications Department
ECONOMIC RECESSION LINGERS IN SALVATION ARMY FOOD PROGRAMS
94 Percent Report Increased Demand for Assistance as Charitable Donations Stagnate
Alexandria, VA (January 18, 2011) – Despite officially ending in June 2009, the economic recession is having a lasting impact on people across the country, according to a new report released by The Salvation Army today. According to a survey conducted in the fourth quarter of 2010, a majority of Salvation Army food service programs in both rural and metropolitan areas such as Detroit, Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco and Denver, reported increases in requests for food assistance as more people are turning to social service agencies. Programs including food banks, food pantries, street ministries and homeless shelters run by the Army also reported that donations mostly remained flat or even decreased in areas during the past 12 months.
“Individuals and young families throughout America have been forced to make a hard choice month after month– should they pay their utility bills or pay for groceries? Unfortunately, there is no right answer,” said Commissioner William Roberts, National Commander for The Salvation Army. “What’s left when these choices are made, are continued hardships that no family should go through when so much is on the line.”
Salvation Army food programs nationwide have seen an increase in new clients, ranging from middle class families to the working poor, as well as younger generations looking for work according to the report, “Feeding the Need 2011.” As a result, Salvation Army programs have been forced to stretch donations even further as overall funding to the Army fell 8.4 percent in 2009. Key findings from the report include:
• 94 percent of Salvation Army food service programs reported an increase in requests for food assistance in 2010.
• Nearly two-thirds of programs saw an increase in demand of 15 percent or more.
• Nearly 60 percent of Salvation Army programs saw donations remain flat or decline from all funding sources, including government, public and private sources.
• Of food programs surveyed, 55 percent reported that their shelves were half-full or less.
• 36 percent of Salvation Army programs saw an increase in donations, a positive sign that giving will continue despite the recession.
• 23 percent of programs reported that volunteering rates increased in 2010, a sign that many Americans are beginning to donate time and talent instead of money.
“The effects of the downturn are something that we have been responding to for the past several years, and are something we will continue to respond to as long as there is need – even if this means going beyond our limits,” said Commissioner Roberts.
The Salvation Army surveyed a representative sample of more than 30 Salvation Army food service programs in cities across the United States to develop the “Feeding the Need 2011” report. The report represents the experiences of Salvation Army officers and employees who work directly with clients in need. The survey was conducted between October 2010 and December 2010, and highlights notable trends that have been felt by most charities within the United States since the recession began.
“While many Salvation Army programs will continue to be challenged, we remain hopeful looking towards the critical winter months in 2011 when demand is at its highest,” said Commissioner Roberts. “We were blessed last year to be able to provide more than 64 million meals to people in need thanks to the support of our donors and volunteers.”
During this, The Salvation Army is calling upon all Americans to consider donating money or volunteering time to the charities and organizations meeting basic human needs in the local community.
