The Salvation Army has been granted a $5 million gift from the Lilly Endowment to support the ongoing relief efforts in post-Charley Florida, the organization announced on August 23, 2004.

The new grant will be used to expand the efforts already undertaken by the Salvation Army to help with the clean-up and continuing needs of residents and agencies in areas ravaged by the Category 4 storm hurricane.

According to SA, most of the responses are being directed from a state-of-the-art emergency management center in Tampa.

“The hurricane’s aftermath, the center has directed the placement of two, 54-foot mobile kitchens that can prepare and serve 20,000 hot meals daily and dispatched 57 mobile canteens (kitchens), from which 1,500 meals a day, per canteen, can be served. The Center manages an around-the-clock workforce of 350 people working daily throughout Florida on hurricane relief and directs the receipt and storage of emergency relief goods for those impacted by the hurricane,” the SA announced.

In total, some 300,000 hot meals were provided to residents. Several mobile comfort stations have also been set up for the victims. In addition, 13 pastoral care teams are providing emotional and spiritual comfort and support, and the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) continues to relay vital health and wellness information to loved ones seeking information concerning their Floridian friends and family.

According to the Florida governor Jeb Bush, Charley destroyed some $15 billion worth of infrastructure. The SA is estimating that the organization’s relief efforts in Florida will cost in excess of $10.5 million.

“Our prayers first go to those suffering in the wake of Hurricane Charley, and then to the many people, including many of our own, who are working to help residents rebuild lives so terribly shaken by the storm, and we pray for God’s grace upon the Lilly Endowment for its gift,” said the SA Commissioner W. Todd Bassett.

According to Basset, the $5 million will be used to lead the SA’s fund-raising campaign specifically for Hurricane Charley relief efforts.

“One hundred percent of every dollar contributed to The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Relief Fund is sent directly to the disaster location,” the SA announced.

“At times like these, financial donations are always a critical need, and can be put to use much more directly and effectively,” Commissioner Bassett said.

The SA is working in conjunction with the federal government in providing shelter, supply, recovery and restorative assistance. All financial donations to the SA Charley disaster relief operation will be used for the purchase of specific items needed by the families affected by the storm.

The Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment is a private foundation in operation since 1937 that focuses its giving on community development, education and religion.

Monetary donations, earmarked "Disaster Relief," may be sent to your local Salvation Army or made online at http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.