Salvation Army personnel respond to Pahoa lava flow

Last week, Salvation Army personnel on the Big Island mobilized to respond to the Pahoa lava flow that Hawaii County Civil Defense officials predict could cross the main highway in the near future.

“The Salvation Army is part of a team of agencies providing assistance during this pending event and working closely with both the State of Hawaii Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and the East Hawaii Island VOAD,” said Maj. Mark Gilden, divisional secretary for business for The Salvation Army Hawaiian &Pacific Islands Division. “At this point, we anticipate The Salvation Army will be providing displaced residents, emergency management workers and volunteers with food and water, overseeing a planned temporary storage area for personal property, and facilitating emergency donations. In addition, our mobile canteen is on standby for use on the island.”

The public is encouraged to support the emergency disaster services efforts via monetary donations at www.hawaii.salvationarmy.org or by calling The Salvation Army Hawaiian &Pacific Islands Divisional Headquarters at 808-988-2136. One-hundred percent of the donated funds will support The Salvation Army’s emergency disaster services in Hawaii.

Pahoa area residents in need are encouraged to contact The Salvation Army’s Hilo Corps Office at 935-1277.

Monetary donations will be needed to meet displaced residents’ most immediate needs:

• A $10 donation feeds a disaster survivor for one day.

• A $30 donation provides one food box, containing staple foods for a family of four.

• A $100 donation can serve snacks and drinks for 125 survivors and emergency personnel at the scene of a disaster.

• A $250 donation can provide one hot meal to 100 people or keep a hydration station operational for 24 hours.

• A $500 donation keeps a Salvation Army canteen fully operational for one day.

For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.