Southern California Evacuation Centers Consolidate, Salvation Army Continues Assistance
The Woolsey Fire continues to burn at only 47% containment, having claimed more than 97,000 acres since Thursday. Several evacuated communities have been allowed to return, and as a result, five Ventura County evacuation shelters have consolidated into one at California Lutheran University (60 W Olsen Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360).
The Salvation Army has continued their food service at the new shelter. Since Friday, The Salvation Army has served approximately: 1,286 meals, 1,133 beverages and 1,197 snacks to evacuees of the Woolsey and Hill Fire. Officers have also been made available for spiritual and emotional counseling. Since Friday, they have prayed with 23 persons. There are also plans to begin mobile food service in neighborhoods affected by the fire that have had their evacuation orders lifted.
At this stage, The Salvation Army is looking toward the long term recovery of these communities. Through donations, The Salvation Army is able to direct their focus on local assistance with rental assistance programs, food distribution, gift card distribution and more. Since last year’s Thomas Fire, which burned more than 200,000 acres, The Salvation Army spent (and continues to spend) more than $500,000 on assistance to families in the Ventura and Santa Barbara County areas. A similar campaign is expected to take place after the Woolsey Fire is contained.
The need is great. To make a contribution, click here or text “Wildfire” to 41444.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need without discrimination for more than 135 years in the U.S. More than 25 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. The Salvation Army tracks the level of need across the country with the Human Needs Index (HumanNeedsIndex.org). The Salvation Army has served survivors of every major national disaster since 1900. The Salvation Army does not place an administrative fee on disaster donations. During emergency disasters, 100 percent of designated gifts are used to support specific relief efforts. For more information, go to www.SalvationArmyUSA.org or follow on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS.