Salvation Army Opens Disaster Assistance Centre In High River

by SalvationArmy.ca
Categories: Mobile, Newswire
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July 15, 2013-Flooding in southern Alberta has changed lives forever and The Salvation Army continues to support those affected.

During the past week The Salvation Army has continued to provide hydration and food at various locations in the Town of High River. Emotional and Spiritual Care (ESC) teams travelled the streets, often on foot, providing hydration, snacks, and clean-up supplies such as disposable paper coveralls, masks and gloves, to residents who began to clean out their homes. ESC teams were also on hand to support residents evacuated from the hardest hit areas as they met for an update on their homes.

Cleanup continues in the basement of The Salvation Army corps/church building, as well as the Thrift Store and Community and Family Services.  It is anticipated that the Thrift Store and Community and Family Services will remain closed for several months.

Today, the Army’s Disaster Assistance Centre opened in trailers on the parking lot of the High River corps building. Over the weekend dedicated volunteers spent countless hours packing food hampers that will be distributed, along with a $100 RBC Visa Card, clothing and other miscellaneous items.

In Exshaw, a hamlet 90 kilometres west of Calgary, a mobile unit continues to provide lunch everyday to residents and volunteers who have started cleaning up after floodwaters damaged 75 percent of the community’s homes. A member of the Army’s Emotional and Spiritual Care team is also on site.

The Calgary Flood Emergency has officially ended and residents who are still displaced will be assisted through our Community Services office.

The Centre of Hope has been reopened for two weeks and restoration to the basement area continues, however we still have no access to elevators.

The Salvation Army in Alberta sends heartfelt thanks to numerous volunteers who have given of their time, to donors who have contributed so generously, and to The Salvation Army nationwide who have sent needed personnel and equipment to assist in relief efforts.