The Salvation Army Deploys Canteen to Areas
Impacted by Hurricane Gustav

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, September 3, 2008 - Local Salvation Army officer Lt. Jason Burns and three volunteers from First Evangelical Church have deployed with a Salvation Army Disaster Recovery Unit (canteen) to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The disaster relief unit will serve food and provide spiritual comfort to evacuees, volunteers and other emergency response workers in Louisiana.

The Memphis disaster relief unit will remain in Baton Rouge until at least September 13. The team arrived at The Salvation Army Command Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on Monday, before being sent to Baton Rouge to commence relief efforts on Tuesday.

"Most of Baton Rouge is still without power," said Lt. Burns. "Last night the Memphis canteen served a hot dinner to 450 people. We will probably feed more than 1,200 people lunch and dinner today."

The Salvation Army conducted disaster training with volunteers from First Evangelical Church last year. During the training session, volunteers learned how to serve in times of disaster as representatives of The Salvation Army, how to prepare for deployment, how to safely operate the canteen, and how to drive the canteen.

While the volunteers from First Evangelical Church have carried out disaster relief efforts locally, this is the largest disaster they have been to and the first time they have been deployed outside of the Memphis service area. The volunteers deployed to Baton Rouge are Charlie Martin, Mark McKenzie and Ken Meador.

"The Salvation Army is always on the front line whenever there is a disaster," said Lt. Burns. "It is not possible to do this without the support of organizations like First Evangelical Church. Since we arrived in Baton Rouge, these volunteers have been tirelessly administering food and care to those who need it."

The Memphis unit will join more than 100 other mobile feeding units, four 54' mobile kitchens and multiple fixed feeding sites at its Corps and other outposts throughout the region. The Salvation Army has already served more than 110,000 meals throughout the Gulf Coast area as a result of Hurricane Gustav and has a feeding capacity from Texas to Florida of more than 560,000 meals.

As part of its disaster response operation, The Salvation Army also is prepared to provide:

• Clean-up kits containing brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning supplies
• Hygiene kits
• Drinking water
• Shower units
• First-aid supplies
• Missing persons support through The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (www.satern.org) and
• Emotional/spiritual care

The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by Hurricane Gustav to visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-725-2769. Monetary donations are needed to meet survivors' most immediate needs. A $100 donation will feed a family of four for two days and will provide two cases of drinking water and one household cleanup kit (containing brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning supplies). The Salvation Army currently is not accepting donations of clothing and furniture for storm victims, but these donations are always welcome at The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center's thrift stores.

Organizations interested in becoming a disaster recovery partner with The Salvation Army, can contact Major Mark Woodcock at (901) 543-8586.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Memphis began its work in the city on October 18, 1900. Since then, the organization has fought hunger, homelessness, addiction, poverty, abuse, and suffering caused by disaster. At the center of The Salvation Army's work in Memphis is a common belief that all people can make positive changes. The Salvation Army believes in the healing power of compassion, love, dignity and respect, and use these principles to guide our actions and words.

The Salvation Army values the transforming power of God and the salvation that comes from knowing Christ as our personal savior. The Salvation Army believes that enduring change comes from holistic ministry to the mind, body and spirit.

In 2007, The Salvation Army Memphis helped more than 17,855 people, provided more than 65,000 nights of lodging, and served 208,251 meals and snacks. For more information on our work, visit www.salvationarmymemphis.org.

CONTACT:
Abby Turner
Thompson & Berry PR
(901) 328-5233

Elizabeth Duncan
The Salvation Army
(901) 260 -9130