The Salvation Army in Vail is dedicated to serving the local community by providing a wide array of services aimed at assisting individuals and families in need. Their efforts span from emergency assistance to long-term recovery programs, ensuring that those facing hardship receive the support they require.
Emergency Assistance
The Salvation Army helps meet the needs of disaster survivors through a variety of programs. As one of the nation's major emergency relief organizations, The Salvation Army recognizes the critical importance of being prepared for natural and manmade disasters. Therefore, they take steps to ensure their own ability to respond quickly and efficiently to a disaster, while also working to educate other disaster professionals and the public at large about how to prepare for and respond to emergency situations.
Local Disaster Assistance
The Salvation Army provides help for local families who have experienced some type of an emergency and are in need of food, shelter, clothing, medication, household items (pots, pans, bedding and furniture), and minor repairs to the house or vehicle. They provide emergency shelters for road closures, and temporary housing for people in emergency situations. They are a partner in a community plan for pandemic preparedness.
They have a commercial kitchen on a 4-wheel drive vehicle that can provide 200 meals per hour to emergency responders. This vehicle has been called out several times to serve in disaster areas since its arrival in April of 2007.
Immediate Emergency Response
Emergency response services are activated on short notice according to an agreed-upon notification procedure coordinated with federal, state and local governments. Typically, Salvation Army personnel and resources will congregate at predetermined staging areas, entering the impacted area only once government first-responders have indicated that it is safe and constructive to do so. These immediate response activities include food and hydration services, shelter, cleanup and emergency communication assistance to put victims in touch with their loved ones.
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Long-Term Disaster Recovery
Depending on the magnitude of the disaster, The Salvation Army may continue providing immediate response services, such as emergency shelter and food service, well into the recovery process. Additionally, The Salvation Army will often coordinate with local, state and federal entities to develop and execute long-term strategic disaster recovery plans. These activities include restoration and rebuilding initiatives, disaster social services (to address essential living needs, medical expenses or funeral costs) and in-kind donation distribution to disaster victims.
Spiritual and Emotional Care
Throughout the duration and aftermath of a major disaster, The Salvation Army provides spiritual comfort and emotional support upon request to victims and emergency workers coping with the stress of a catastrophe. Salvation Army counselors, who are often ordained as clergy (officers), may simply offer a "ministry of presence," but often people who know about The Salvation Army as representatives of God may ask for prayer or help from the Bible.
Food distribution
Additional Services Offered
The Salvation Army in Vail offers a number of different services including a food pantry. We appreciate the amazing generosity of our community. Donations are welcome but unfortunately at this time we do not accept clothes, furniture and household donations since we do not have a thrift store. We’ll put your gift to work right away to help the many poor and hungry people who will come to us in need. Because of your gift, a hungry child will have a meal. A senior citizen will have fellowship. We work with organizations in terms of referrals to our organization as well as referrals to our clients in addressing ongoing needs.
- Rental Assistance: We help local individuals and families with the payment of a portion of one month's rent, if they can show self-sufficiency for the next month. We do not help finding housing; that is the responsibility of the client. The client requesting assistance with rent must be part of the rental agreement.
- Utility Assistance: We can help families and individuals in emergency situations to pay for gas, electricity, propane, and some other sources of heating and cooking such as wood and kerosene.
- Medical Equipment: We provide durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, shower seats, toilet seat risers, walkers, crutches, etc.
- Transportation Assistance: We provide a one-time emergency transportation in the form of gasoline, one-way Greyhound tickets in the continental US, and minor auto repairs.
- Adopt-A-Family: We match donor with low-income families to provide food, clothing, household needs and holiday gifts during the Christmas season.
The Salvation Army needs your help, helping others!
How You Can Help
Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. Donations are welcome and will be used to help the many poor and hungry people who turn to The Salvation Army for assistance. Because of your gift, a hungry child will have a meal, and a senior citizen will have fellowship.
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Poverty doesn't have to be permanent.
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