After thousands of meals served and thousands of working hours logged, The Salvation Army is still going strong in assisting flood relief efforts.
According to Beverly Mayfield, envoy of the local Salvation Army, volunteers, employees and officers have had a busy few weeks keeping up with flooding along area lakes and rivers.
“We've had a canteen to provide meals, snacks and beverages to volunteers as well as people in need in affected areas,” Mayfield said. “We've been busy.”
Busy indeed.
In just more than two weeks, 7,478 meals, snacks and beverages have been served, and 1,460 hours have been logged by Salvation Army officers, employees and volunteers.
Sandbagging has slowed down and so has The Salvation Army's presence at Kerry Park or “sandbag central,” as Mayfield called it, but she said should efforts start back up again – crews will be ready.
“We're not going anywhere,” she explained. “We will stay involved until the end, whenever that might be. We will be wherever the need is, even during the cleanup when that time comes.”
Providing fuel
The Salvation Army's presence throughout relief efforts, Mayfield said, has been appreciated by many – sandbagging volunteers and affected property owners.
“When people are working very hard, they often overlook their own health to help others,” she said, noting the importance of the relationship with the Red Cross, which delivers meals to people in need. “Everyone has been very thankful of the help we've been providing.”
The organization's assistance goes beyond providing full bellies. Mayfield said spiritual help is available, too.
“We offer a variety of services we are able to help people with,” she said.
One big family
Mayfield said she has witnessed a community coming together over the past couple weeks, but she isn't surprised.
“We've always known when there's a need people just gather together,” she said. “They're there to help others – their neighbors. It's like one big family.”
All ages have come together during a time of crisis and the generosity, is heartwarming, Mayfield said.
“There are so many people involved,” she said. “And local businesses - I can't say enough about the business owners and employees that have provided beverages, meals and volunteer hours to serve wherever the need is.”
Until the end
As flooding along Rainy Lake drags on, officials are finding it almost impossible to predict when recovery efforts will be in full swing. However, when that time comes, Mayfield said The Salvation Army will be ready.
“We're not sure how it'll play out, but we will be here and we will be ready to help,” she said, noting clean-up kits will be available. “We have a great community of people who watch out for each other and are ready to do what it takes to help their neighbor. We'll all be here until the end.”
