Hurricane Katrina Remembered

Most Americans still remember Hurricane Katrina, but for those who experienced firsthand the immense devastation and loss of life, and for those who assisted survivors in the aftermath of the storm, Katrina remains permanently etched in their hearts and minds.

The Salvation Army was one of the very first organizations that responded to the killer storm, setting up 178 canteens and 11 field kitchens in affected areas along the Gulf Coast and serving 5.6 million hot meals to survivors and first responders. In all, 2.6 million people received assistance from the Army; assistance funded with $382 million in donations for emergency response services following hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

In Chicago, Salvation Army Metropolitan Division officers, staff, and volunteers worked tirelessly to help survivors both in their home states and those who self-evacuated to Chicago and the suburbs.

The Army’s Emergency Disaster Services teams traveled south to help survivors, while staff and 1,000 volunteers here packaged 50,000 comfort kits and 10,000 boxes of food for residents of the affected areas. Each box contained a week’s supply of food for a family of four.

At the same time, Army’s intake and social workers staffed a multi-agency facility at Fosco Park and assisted 4,095 Katrina victims who relocated to Chicago. The Army provided evacuees with 3,909 food gift cards as well as 3,610 clothing vouchers and 216 furniture vouchers redeemable at Salvation Army Thrift Stores. Evacuees also were given thousands of personal care kits as well as socks, footwear, undergarments, and various items of clothing.

About six months later, as part of UMCOR-Katrina Aid Today, a national case management consortium, Army personnel began providing intensive case management services to Katrina victims who remained in the area. Some 289 individuals received direct financial assistance of more than $230,000, made available by the consortium, to help evacuees with relocation in and out of the state, medical and dental services, furniture, meals, transportation, clothing and household items.

An additional 209 individuals, who were not part of the Intensive Care Management Program, were assisted with such services as referrals to needed resources and help tapping into available city, state, and federal assistance programs.

The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division no longer tracks as a separate group Katrina survivors who remained in Greater Chicago. Assistance to all people in need is provided through the division’s 29 Corps Community Centers, which are points of entry for a variety of programs and service. These include assistance with groceries; assistance with rent and mortgage payments and utility bills; youth programs including music training; before and after school programs, including Head Start; substance abuse rehabilitation programs; senior housing; and much more.

The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division is the largest provider of direct social services to people in need in Greater Chicago.

As an integral part of the community, The Salvation Army was there before the storm, and we were there after working to provide support and help rebuild.

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