Command & Control, Distribution Units: Feeding/Food

THE SALVATION ARMY DEPLOYS FOUR MOBILE UNITS Send this page to a friend

Released 2 November 2007

The Salvation Army is sending its largest mobile kitchens to San Diego's most impoverished area where hundreds of residents lost homes in the wildfires. The Army's "canteens" or mobile feeding units are geared up to help an anticipated 200 people offered shelter in a tent city set up by State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth. The tent city is at the intersection of the Highway 94 and Barrett Lake Road and will include bathroom facilities, showers and generators.

Key to this operation will be the Army's newest 30' Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) mobile kitchen, capable of serving up to 3,000 meals and snacks a day and brewing 27 gallons of coffee per hour. This canteen and its team of four arrived from Las Vegas, Nevada several days ago for its first use at a disaster.

The Salvation Army EDS units will also provide shovels, rakes, sifters and other items to help people sift through the ashes where their homes or trailers once stood. Salvation Army Emotional and Spiritual Care two-person teams will be available to provide comfort and support. The teams will drive through burned-out areas providing water and snacks as well as their willingness to "just be there" and to listen.

To date, The Salvation Army has served more than 160,000 meals and snacks to more than 180,000 persons as well as 150,000 drinks to first responders and survivors.

As of Oct. 31st, The Salvation Army has provided gift cards and vouchers to more than 1,000 people at Local Assistance Centers in Ramona, Fallbrook, Rancho Bernardo and Rancho San Diego with a monetary value of $442,150. Gift cards are for Wal-Mart and Albertson's and vouchers are for Salvation Army thrift stores.

Monetary donations are barely keeping pace with need and The Salvation Army is asking for cash donations only at this time.

Those wishing to help may call 1 866 I'LL HELP or donate on line at http://www.sandiego.salvationarmy.org/