THE SALVATION ARMY EMERGENCY DISASTER SERVICES (EDS) PROVIDES RELIEF AFTER ICE STORM
THE SALVATION ARMY EMERGENCY DISASTER SERVICES (EDS) PROVIDES RELIEF
DURING LENGTHY POWER OUTAGE CAUSED BY CATASTROPHIC ICE STORM
PETOSKEY, MI, APRIL 23, 2025 – The Salvation Army of Petoskey is fully operational following the devastating ice storm that left thousands of homes without electricity, heat, water, and other basic necessities. Despite the unprecedented destruction, The Salvation Army of Petoskey EDS swiftly mobilized, collaborating with local Emergency Management led by Coordinator Matthew Blythe.
The Petoskey Corps prepared and distributed numerous meals, food boxes, and bottled water to local shelters. Hot showers and toiletries were also available at the Community Center. Envoy Roman Hank stated, “Regarding the recent ice storm, The Salvation Army did what we do best. We feed people. We provided meals at two different shelters and handed out food boxes of shelf-stable items so that folks who returned to their homes could easily have something to eat without too much effort. We also distributed other meals that were generously donated. In total, we handed out around 930 meals over a two-week period”.
On Sunday, March 30th, The Salvation Army provided meals and food boxes to residents of the Perry Farm Village retirement community. Additionally, meals and food boxes were distributed to many individuals and families at Pellston Regional Airport, which was set up as a warming shelter during the first week. Meanwhile, boxed food and supplies from The Salvation Army’s Great Lakes Headquarters were delivered to a local emergency station and distributed to shelters throughout Northern Michigan by the National Guard.
On Friday and Saturday, April 11th and 12th, the Petoskey Corps partnered with Little Caesar’s Love Kitchen to provide lunch and bottled water at the park in the village of Pellston. Due to the ongoing power outages in the Pellston and Levering areas, The Salvation Army continued to distribute meals, bottled water, and food boxes at other shelters as requested by Emergency Management. The first distribution point was located at Center Township, which was open for the second week of the disaster. Through a coordinated effort involving the Michigan State Police, State of Michigan, and The Salvation Army, meals were distributed at the McKinley Township Hall and the Alanson Littlefield Community Center until it was officially declared that all of Emmet County’s power was restored more than two weeks after the storm began.
The Salvation Army of Petoskey helps many individuals and families with critical needs such as heat, food, rent, electricity and other critical needs year-round. No one applying for assistance is approved or denied services based on faith, gender, orientation, nationality or any other forms of discrimination. To give, please visit SAPetoskey.org online and click on “Donate Now” or drop-off or mail checks to The Salvation Army of Petoskey’s Community Center office located at 2350 Mitchell Park Drive, Petoskey, MI 49770. You can also donate gently used items and shop at The Salvation Army Thrift Store located at 1615 Clarion Ave in Petoskey. Proceeds support local programs and services.
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. For more information about our ministries, programs, or services, please visit www.SAPetoskey.org or call (231) 347-3531.