With areas of southern Alberta devastated by flooding, the Abbotsford Salvation Army’s emergency disaster services unit has set off for Calgary to assist those affected by the disaster.
The unit is a mobile canteen that can act as a kitchen, providing nutritious meals for volunteers, emergency personnel and people who have been displaced.
The units are designed to respond to floods, fires, earthquakes and other major events.
Units from three other communities in B.C. – Terrace, Kelowna and Prince George – have also gone to Alberta to assist. The four units were slated to arrive in Calgary yesterday evening.
Calgary’s Salvation Army Centre of Hope was flooded and faced with mandatory evacuation. All of the facility’s 400 residents have been relocated.
The Agape Hospice was also evacuated and residents were successfully moved.
Deb Lowell, public relations officer for the Salvation Army in Abbotsford, said volunteers from Abbotsford and Chilliwack are driving the local unit to Alberta, with more volunteers flying into the province to help. She said aim to go where they are most needed.
Currently, Salvation Army volunteers have been at the evacuation centre in the community of Blackie, supplying meals and care to residents evacuated from nearby High River.
With growing concerns about flooding in Medicine Hat, 10,000 people have been evacuated, including the Salvation Army shelter. Volunteers are currently at the evacuation centre providing food, clothing and arranging for accommodations.
“We want to be there and respond to the immediate needs of individuals,” said Lowell.
She said in addition to helping with meals, the volunteers are there to help others through a traumatic time.
If you wish to support the Salvation Army’s efforts, donations can be made online by visiting www.SalvationArmy.ca, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769), of via mail to The Salvation Army, 2 Overlea Blvd. Toronto, ON M4H 1P4.