6/14 UPDATE: Oklahoma, Arkansas Disaster Response

Tulsa, Oklahoma (June 13, 2019) – The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) offers spiritual, emotional, and social assistance to people who have lost the ability to cope with their problems and provide for themselves.  In Tulsa, Oklahoma, beneficiaries of the program recently had the opportunity to give back by assisting in disaster relief efforts after historic flooding.

Dustin, a graduate of the ARC celebrating more than two years of sobriety, is the kitchen supervisor for the ARC in Tulsa. In his hometown of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, hundreds of homes were impacted by the historic rising of the Arkansas River.   For the past week, he has supervised the preparation of hundreds of meals a day to serve survivors and others.  Dustin says, “I just appreciate the opportunity to give back to my hometown.”

Many of the beneficiaries have volunteered to assist with meal preparation when not in a class, working or scheduled for other activities. Giving back is part of the recovery process and is a new experience for many.

The Tulsa Center of Hope Shelter also helped prepare meals for emergency disaster service for several days. The shelter is a refuge to 150 people a night and prepares an average of 900 meals daily. Arletta Robinson, executive director of Center of Hope, said, “Our kitchen was happy to prepare the extra meals to help our neighbors during their time of the need. We are blessed to serve.”

From adult rehabilitation programs, providing shelter, fighting human trafficking, empowering the arts, senior services to disaster services and more, The Salvation Army meets human needs at their point of need.

The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation to the charity of your choice.  Cash is flexible, can be used immediately in response to a crisis, and allows disaster relief organizations to purchase exactly what is needed when it’s needed. Cash gives relief organizations the means to procure supplies near the affected area, which cuts down on transportation time and cost. Monetary contributions also support local economies and ensure that businesses can operate when relief supplies diminish.

  • Donate Online: www.helpsalvationarmy.org
  • Donate by Mail: The Salvation Army PO BOX 1959, Atlanta, GA  30301.  Please designate ‘May 2019 OK/AR Storms’ on all checks.
  • Donate by Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
  • Donate by Text: Text STORM to 51555 to receive a donation link for easy mobile giving

For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, follow the social feed on Twitter at @salarmyeds or visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

                                                                                                     

Fort Gibson, Oklahoma (June 12, 2019) – The Salvation Army of Arkansas-Oklahoma is participating in Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) in northeast Oklahoma where thousands of homes have been impacted by historic flooding.   A MARC is a central location for local and state agencies, as well as human service organizations, to answer questions and provide information and disaster-related assistance.

The Salvation Army is just one of the agencies participating in the MARCs established by the Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (OKVOAD). Anyone affected by the recent storms is encouraged to come and check on available resources.

Currently, the following dates and times for MARCs have been announced:

June 12 & 13
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Fort Gibson High School cafeteria
500 S Ross St.
Fort Gibson, OK

June 14 & 15
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
First Baptist Church of Warner
810 2nd Ave.
Warner, OK

June 14, 15 & 16
10 a.m. – 7p.m.
Charles Page/Sand Springs High School, Ed Dubie Field House
500 N Adams Road
Sand Springs

                                                                                                     

Tulsa, Oklahoma (June 11, 2019) – Operation BBQ Relief and The Salvation Army are partnering together to help feed those who are hurting after either being displaced or severely impacted by the Arkansas River flooding.  The partnership brings about a very positive impact on the individuals and families being served.

Operation BBQ Relief is a nonprofit which was founded in May 2011 in response to the catastrophic tornado which struck Joplin, Missouri.  The nonprofit continues to respond and partner with other nonprofits to help feed residents who have been affected by national and other disasters as well as emergency personnel.  Operation BBQ is cooking hundreds of pounds of pork daily to help feed the hungry in Northeast Oklahoma where people are cleaning up their homes after the water has receded.

“It’s awesome that we have this great partnership with The Salvation Army.  I have worked with them in Wilmington, North Carolina, Panama City and Tallahassee, Florida and now Tulsa.  Everyone is always helpful and friendly.  Everyone is in it to help others during their time of need,” says Mike Richter, Territory 2 Director, Operation BBQ Relief.

The Salvation Army continues to serve in Northeast Oklahoma and Arkansas after horrific flooding has occurred.  To date, 14,434 meals, 18,344 drinks, and 11,072 snacks have been served and 825 emotional and spiritual care contacts have been made.  Along with the food and hydration, cleanup kits and hygiene kits have also been distributed.

The Salvation Army continues to meet the immediate needs with the help of donations.

                                                                                                     

Tulsa, Oklahoma (June 8, 2019) – In any circumstance, good or trying, partnerships are vital.  The Salvation Army is grateful during times of disaster strong partnerships exist.  Two such partners, Tyson Foods and J.B. Hunt generously donated 20,000 lb. of chicken as well as the loan of a refrigerated trailer and transportation to help The Salvation Army’s disaster relief efforts in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

The donation will be put to good use feeding survivors, volunteers, and first responders in areas affected by catastrophic flooding.  Sherri Johnson, Corporate Social Responsibility, Tyson Foods, says “Tyson is proud to support The Salvation Army and the relief it provides to all of those impacted by the historic flood.”

                                                                                            

Tulsa, Oklahoma (June 7, 2019) – The Arkansas-Oklahoma Division of The Salvation Army celebrated National Donut Day on Friday, June 7 during disaster relief efforts.   As canteens (mobile feeding units) were loaded with meals, hydration, and snacks, they also received donuts to hand out to flood survivors, volunteers, and those assisting in the affected neighborhoods

American Salvation lassies set sail for France on August 12, 1917, determined to bring comfort to the soldiers in the rain-soaked trenches of France.  The thought was some real home cooking might help.  Unfortunately, most of the supplies had run out, except some flour, sugar, lard, baking powder, cinnamon, and canned milk.  They had everything they needed to make donuts!

It was only a matter of time and a Salvation Army “Lassie” handed the first freshly cooked donut to a homesick doughboy.   Word spread quickly “If you’re hungry or broke, you can go get something to eat at The Salvation Army.  Before too long, 2,500 – 9,000 donuts a day were served to troops on the front lines.  Donuts have been served to servicemen and servicewomen ever since.

Friday provided a unique opportunity to serve donuts on our modern-day front lines during disaster services.  The difference is those working on the front lines in Arkansas and Oklahoma are doing muck-out and clean-up after devastating floods.

Donut Lassies have been remembered for showing compassion to thousands of troops.  To this day, donuts symbolize The Salvation Army’s readiness to help in times of need in whatever way they can.  Even in the most difficult of circumstances, donuts were handed out today by crews who were there to offer a piece of joy in the form of a donut.  To learn more about the history of National Donut Day, visit salar.my/donut19.

For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, follow the social feed on Twitter at @salarmyeds or visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

                                                                                                                     

Tulsa, Oklahoma (June 6, 2019) – The Salvation Army provides practical assistance after disasters, including the catastrophic flooding which has occurred in Arkansas and Oklahoma.   Areas of concentration include Muskogee, Tulsa, and Waggoner counties in Oklahoma and Sebastian County in Arkansas.

Two canteens (mobile feeding units), two rapid response units (catering trucks), and a Salvation Army kitchen are involved in delivering needed meals, water, cleaning supplies, and hygiene kits to those affected by flooding.  Trained personnel from Conway, Fayetteville, Hot Springs, and Mountain Home, Arkansas, as well as Chickasha, Enid, Lawton, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma are providing support and encouragement.

“Even as cresting is occurring in Arkansas, the water continues to recede in Oklahoma,” says Laurie Fried, Emergency Disaster Services Director, The Salvation Army Arkansas-Oklahoma Division.  “We are monitoring the situation and responding in communities to which we have access.”

The Salvation Army is incredibly grateful for partners who have come forward to provide much-needed support.   Webco Industries and National Charity League furnished volunteers and dōTERRA Helping Hands Foundation presented comfort kits.   Paper products were donated by Newton Wall Co., and an ice storage container and ice have been supplied by Reddy Ice.  Additionally, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma has donated snacks along with supplies for meals.

The Salvation Army is working closely with emergency management officials at the local and state levels to ascertain what the needs are for emergency response.

                                                                                                           

Tulsa, Oklahoma (June 5, 2019) – The Salvation Army is serving in multiple locations in Northeast Oklahoma – from Sand Springs to Webber’s Falls.  We are providing food, water, personal hygiene kits, emotional and spiritual care to those most impacted by flooding.

To date, we have served over 6,900 meals, 8,800 drinks, and 3, 500 snacks.   The following are locations where The Salvation Army will be serving today, June 5:

Sand Springs:

Fixed Feeding Site:                                          14501 19th Place

Roaming: (moving throughout neighborhoods)

Bixby and Leonard

Muskogee:                                                       Webbers Falls, Fort Gibson, Donkey Lane

Sand Springs:                                                 Garden Spot, Riverside West, Town & Country Acres

Apple Creek, W Wekiwa Road, Candlestick Beach, Meadow Valley

West Tulsa:                                                      Cherry Hills

Locations can change daily according to the need.

How People Can Help

The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation to the charity of your choice.  Cash is flexible, can be used immediately in response to a crisis, and allows disaster relief organizations to purchase exactly what is needed when it’s needed. Cash gives relief organizations the means to procure supplies near the affected area, which cuts down on transportation time and cost. Monetary contributions also support local economies and ensure that businesses can operate when relief supplies diminish.

  • Donate Online: www.helpsalvationarmy.org
  • Donate by Mail: The Salvation Army PO BOX 1959, Atlanta, GA  30301.  Please designate ‘May 2019 OK/AR Storms’ on all checks.
  • Donate by Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
  • Donate by Text: Text STORM to 51555 to receive a donation link for easy mobile giving

For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, follow the social feed on Twitter at @salarmyeds or visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

                                                                                                     

Over the weekend, The Salvation Army partnered with Tulsa County to stage a fixed feeding site in a neighborhood hard hit by flooding from the Arkansas River. Approximately half of the neighborhood was covered in water. Water was up to the roof line for several blocks.  The clean-up process will be long and tiring with the removal of furnishings, sheetrock, and more.

As the neighborhood opened on Saturday, residents returned to evaluate their property and begin the clean-up process.  The Salvation Army was on hand to serve meals, hydration, emotional and spiritual care.  As the word spread, volunteers, survivors, and first responders arrived for a lunch of hot dogs, chips, a dessert and a cold bottle of water.   For some, it was the first break they had taken since early morning.

People arrived by the dozens.  A lunch order for a group of 35 AmeriCorps volunteers was just one of the large orders heard throughout the day. It was not uncommon to hear requests for dozens and half a dozen meals for families and friends working to help their fellow neighbor.   Although at times, the line was long, everyone was appreciative for a friendly face and a meal close to their homes.

During disasters, whenever possible, The Salvation Army is there to feed empty stomachs, provide a bottle of water and an encouraging smile.  Disaster response has been part of the Army’s history since 1900 where they served on their first disaster in Galveston, Texas.

                                                                                                     

Tulsa, OK – Across Arkansas and Oklahoma, hundreds of people are either evacuating, were evacuated, or are slowly being allowed to return to their homes.  The Salvation Army is serving survivors and first responders as the impact from the Arkansas River continues to unfold as it flows from Oklahoma into Arkansas.  Record-breaking crests are expected.  A flood of this magnitude has never happened before in Arkansas.

After days of rain, the sun was shining on Friday and Saturday providing a welcome break to all affected.  The Salvation Army has served 2,579 meals, 3,640 drinks, and 1,085 snacks as well as providing emotional and spiritual care to 176 individuals.

“It has been great to see the resiliency of the people we are meeting and it’s an honor to see the people of Green County come together.  It is a blessing to be a small part of the equation as those impacted begin the process of rebuilding, “says Captain Bradley Hargis, Hot Springs Commanding Officer and Planning Chief on the Incident Management Team.

Oklahoma:

Avant:  A small community northwest of Tulsa, affected by the flooding and backflow of the river, received support this week in the form of snacks, lunch, and dinner.

El Reno:  After a tornado struck and destroyed multiple mobile homes, The Salvation Army was on site the morning after to serve first responders and again later in the week when individuals/families were allowed back on the site to search for their belongings.

Hominy:  Meals were provided to several seniors who were left without power after flooding caused the neighborhood to be without power.

Miami:   The Miami Salvation Army Service Extension Center provided meals to those impacted by the storms.  Supplies in the form of clean-up kits, water, and additional gloves.

Sapulpa:  After an EF1 tornado struck Sapulpa, a mobile feeding unit roamed the neighborhood with hydration and clean-up kits.   Meals were served to those impacted by the tornado at the Boys & Girls Club at the Creek County Service Center.

Sand Springs:  As neighborhoods began to open as waters receded, The Salvation Army provided a mobile feeding unit as well as a fixed feeding site for survivors, first responders, and volunteers.

Tulsa:   The Center of Hope housed additional guests as they were evacuated from their living quarters.  Additionally, meals were provided to support the Red Cross shelter in East Tulsa.

West Tulsa:  Food, hydration, emotional and spiritual care were provided to a housing complex where the residents were without power for over a week and evacuated to other locations until the waters recede.

Arkansas:

Fort Smith:  As the waters rose, evacuations and sandbagging began, the local Salvation Army office provided food, hydration, emotional and spiritual care for those packing their belongings to leave for higher ground as well as those who were sandbagging to try to alleviate water going into their homes.

                                                                                                             

Tulsa, Oklahoma (May 30, 2019) – The Salvation Army is busy providing food, hydration, and emotional and spiritual care to people affected by the recent flooding and tornadoes in Oklahoma and Arkansas.  An Incident Command Team has been deployed to Tulsa, Oklahoma to oversee disaster response operations in the two states.

Salvation Army officers and staff from Conway, Fayetteville, and Hot Springs, Arkansas as well as Chickasha, Lawton, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma have been deployed as part of the Incident Command team that will provide leadership for The Salvation Army’s disaster response.  One mobile feeding unit (canteen) from Enid, Oklahoma and a roving response unit from Oklahoma City have been deployed to Tulsa to assist with the initial community support efforts.  Each unit is equipped with staff who will provide food, hydration and emotional and spiritual care to survivors of the catastrophic weather events.

The Salvation Army is already at work in communities who were in the path of the storms.  As of May 29, The Salvation Army has provided more than 1,800 meals, 2,700 drinks, and 600 snacks to survivors and first responders.  Shelter has been provided to almost 500 people displaced by the storms and flooding.

“When the flood waters began to rise last week, we received a request from our emergency management partners to support our neighbors who were in the flood zone. We never wish to get the call, yet it is an honor to serve,” said Major David Robinson, Lawton Commanding Officer and Incident Commander. “We are planning ahead to be in a position to respond as quickly as possible after the waters recede.”

 

 

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