Lakeland, FL (October 21, 2024)- The Salvation Army continues to serve hot meals, water and ice and provide emotional and spiritual care to those in need within the Community of Bonny Shores, Lakeland, FL. Residents of this 55-and-older community are still reeling under the effects of Hurricane Milton. For more than 130 residents in need of services, The Salvation Army mobile canteen unit out of Melbourne, FL., gave out 56 units of water, 162 hot meals and 100 snacks.
The water has receded in inches, not feet, surrounding more than two thirds of the submerged homes. The words, “We want to return home” were echoed by each survivor encountered.
Neighbors use discarded pallets to create makeshift sidewalks to check in on one another and get to dry ground. Neighbor helping neighbor is a recurring theme. Spouses, partners, parents and friends are separated due to unsanitary living conditions, broken pipes and homes without power. These homes are inaccessible even by SUVs.
Some people keep rubber dinghies or canoes at the front of their houses. These are used to collect donations and supplies. Financial constraints, vacancies, no extended family, age and a lack of willingness to leave beloved pets behind prevent many residents from evacuating.
Suffering financial setbacks, compounded by physical destruction, makes survivors feel powerless. People came to the mobile feeding unit to share their stories from “pumps not working” to “displaced kitties” to “gators in the street, and it’s unsafe to walk after 5 p.m., towards evening.”
Recalling the strife of Hurricane Milton’s aftermath, there were sincere tears of gratitude with more comments of “What mercy God has given us. It has been a few days since our last hot meal,” “God sent us angels with the Salvation Army” and “The food gave us a taste of comfort we haven’t had since before the storm.”
The reassurance that The Salvation Army shows up in a time of need, takes requests, listens and prays has provided a tremendous amount of hope for those trapped and left behind.
The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Relief work is an opportunity to provide basic human needs to disaster survivors and first responders in the aftermath of devastating events. In times of community crisis, people frequently want to “give back” and look for ways to share their time and talents with others. If you are interested in volunteering as a day volunteer or a credentialed and trained volunteer, visit: https://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/register.php.
