• David Jolley

The Salvation Army Serves in the Dark

Sebring, FL – Word has spread in Sebring, Florida and across Highlands County, when you see The Salvation Army canteen in front of the Family Store, food is ready. The Salvation Army is providing more than 3,000 meals a day, and it’s welcome relief for many residents and families in these towns of 10,000 people.

Thousands in Highlands County are still affected every day by Hurricane Irma and its effects. 65% of residents are still without power, crops are being affected, and flooding is putting more and more people at risk of loss.

To address the constant flow of county residents coming for food and water, The Salvation Army team developed a drive-thru system, bringing meals to families in cars with police officers directing traffic. Major Ernest Hull, The Salvation Army’s Incident Commander in Sebring, said it’s like serving one big meal.

“These people are desperate,” said Major Hull. “Power outages, damaged crops, loss of income. These people are going to feel this storm for a long time, and we’ll be here to help ease that burden for the long haul.”

The Salvation Army is also providing emotional and spiritual care to people who request it, providing an extra layer of love and hope to those impacted by Irma.

“We are meeting the needs of this community by going into the community,” said Major Hull. “We want to be that helping hand and smiling face that helps them through this tough time.”

The Salvation Army’s Sebring Incident Command and feeding station is positioned outside the Sebring Corps at 3135 Kenilworth Blvd. in Sebring, Florida. Meal and water service is provided from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

To make a donation to The Salvation Army’s Hurricane Irma relief efforts, go online to www.helpsalvationarmy.org, or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.