Volunteers pitch in

A local church community has joined the Salvation Army's front line to help feed people in numerous areas affected by Hurricane Gustav.

Three volunteers from First Evangelical Church arrived at the Salvation Army Command Center in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Monday before being sent to Baton Rouge, La., to commence relief efforts on Tuesday.

The team composed of volunteers Charlie Martin, 67, of Germantown, Mark McKenzie, 65, of Bartlett, and Ken Meador, 67, of Germantown, is expected to be deployed until at least Sept. 13.

This is the largest disaster and the first deployment beyond the Memphis service area for the team, which received Salvation Army disaster-relief training last year.

The Memphis unit has joined more than 100 other mobile feeding units and teams at the Baton Rouge post and others throughout the region. As of late Tuesday, the Memphis-based canteen had served an estimated 1,650 meals.

The Commercial Appeal
Septmeber 4, 2008