ALBERTA AND NORTHERN TERRITORIES FLOOD RELIEF UPDATE
To date, throughout the areas affected by flooding in southern Alberta, The Salvation Army has served 11,500 meals and provided emotional and spiritual care (ESC) to more than 870 evacuees, residents, and responders.
Calgary
The Calgary Flood Emergency has officially ended and residents who are still displaced will be assisted through our Community Services office.
The Centre of Hope has been reopened for a week and the restoration to the basement area continues, however we still have no access to elevators.
High River
The Salvation Army is primarily focusing its relief efforts in High River, where flood waters continue to be pumped and residents return to pick up the pieces of their lives. Food, hydration and a listening ear are welcome relief to a town “just totally not prepared for this.”
“The Salvation Army is exactly what we need,” says High River resident Doreen, whose house has been labelled code orange—meaning it is waterlogged, unsafe to live in, but salvageable.
In High River, The Salvation Army’s food bank/thrift store/office space suffered significant damage. The only salvageable items were metal clothing racks from the store. It is expected that it will be months before the facility can be reopened.
In this community of 13,000, the Army provided the only food bank and family services. The Army feels it is critical to resume these services as soon as possible and will place a temporary triple-wide trailer unit in its church parking lot to serve as a food and clothing distribution centre. The goal is to have it in full operation by July 15.
The Army meets needs as they arise. At the request of the Municipal District of Bighorn, The Salvation Army will deploy a Community Response Unit (CRU) to Exshaw, (a hamlet 90km west of Calgary) on Tuesday, July 8. For the next 10 days lunch will be provided to 60 evacuees and volunteers.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude for all that The Salvation Army has done for us,” says Linda Sojer, President of the High River Downtown Business Association. “Over the next few days our community is going to need to feel your presence and the love you provide even more. Thank you for your continued support. “
Exshaw
The Army meets needs as they arise. At the request of the Municipal District of Bighorn, The Salvation Army will deploy a Community Response Unit (CRU) to Exshaw, (a hamlet 90km west of Calgary) on Tuesday, July 8. For the next 10 days lunch will be provided to 60 evacuees and volunteers.
