The Salvation Army breaking down tornado response in Ottawa, including donation and spending numbers

The Salvation Army is laying out the details of its disaster relief response, while it continues to receive donations and train personnel in order to be ready for future emergencies.

The organization's Emergency and Disaster Services program in Ottawa, based out of the Ottawa Booth Centre, responded immediately following the tornadoes which hit areas of Ottawa and Gatineau on September 21.

In Dunrobin, The Salvation Army deployed its Mobile Canteen Unit with trained staff, volunteers and Retired Ottawa Fire Fighters Association members to provide hot meals and water to first responders and residents. 

Emergency response teams, including staff from The Salvation Army Bethany Hope Centre, were also deployed to city-designated reception centres, where they coordinated efforts with other partner agencies to provide immediate support to displaced families, including meals, snacks, emotional support and spiritual care.

In Arlington Woods and Craig Henry, City Councillor Keith Egli, aware that residents in the area were in desperate need of a hot meal, contacted The Salvation Army to ask if they could respond. Staff and volunteers from its Ottawa Citadel and Barrhaven Churches, along with local community members and businesses gathered to provide meals and snacks to residents in Manordale Park.

Listen to Ward 9 City Councillor Keith Egli give an update on his community's recovery on 1310 NEWS' Ottawa Today with Mark Sutcliffe:

Through partnerships with the Ottawa Food Bank, restaurants and volunteer groups wanting to make a difference in the lives of those affected, The Sally Ann deployed a second Mobile Canteen Unit to the area and began handing out thousands of lunches, snacks, pieces of fruit, and hot meals to individuals and families over the course of several days.

While dinner was being served by The Salvation Army in several different areas of the city, personnel were also in Dunrobin going door-to-door in the community to visit with homeowners who were cleaning up debris. With hot meals in hand and bottles of water in tow, Sally Ann officers and staff took time with families and individuals, to listen to their stories and learn more about how The Salvation Army could help.

An 'Introduction to The Salvation Army Emergency and Disaster Services' training session was also held just 4-weeks after the Ottawa tornadoes, which officially began the training process of an additional 25 volunteers in the Ottawa area.

DONATIONS

As of November 1, The Salvation Army had received $79,842.46 from individuals, organizations and partners:

– Organizations: $41,215
– United Way: $15,000
– Online: $11,037
– Ottawa Food Bank: $8,000
– Individuals: $4,590

EXPENSES

All funds that have been donated are directly supporting Emergency and Disaster Services efforts in response to the Ottawa tornadoes, according to The Salvation Army. It plans to continue to support those affected by the September storm in weeks and months ahead, and teams remains emergency ready to respond when called upon again.

This is how the organization has broken down its expenses to this point:

– Emergency groceries and aftercare support: $29,420
– Food and hydration: $28,050
– Ongoing assistance: $18,777
– Vouchers and clothing: $3,595

OTHER NUMBERS

– 11 days served in the Response Phase
– 230 families served through Community and Family Services after-care
– 3,300 meals served in Ottawa by two Mobile Canteen Units
– 125 Emotional and Spiritual Care connections made while going door-to-door in affected communities