Savation Army Emergency Disaster Services Provides Support to Vulnerable Population after Devastating Fire

HAMILTON, ON, July 29, 2024 /CNW/ - The Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services team continues to support the individuals affected by the fire at the downtown YMCA in Hamilton, Ontario.

Last Monday, a fire forced the evacuation of 173 residents of the YMCA's transitional housing residence for men. Since then, The Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services team has been providing food and clothing to the affected residents. A total of 1000 meals have been served and roughly 150 articles of clothing have been provided.

Emergency Disaster Services volunteers provide meals at the downtown Hamilton YMCA. (CNW Group/The Salvation Army Ontario Division)

Emergency Disaster Services volunteers provide meals at the downtown Hamilton YMCA. (CNW Group/The Salvation Army Ontario Division)

Emergency Disaster Services volunteers provide meals at the downtown Hamilton YMCA. (CNW Group/The Salvation Army Ontario Division)

Emergency Disaster Services volunteers provide meals at the downtown Hamilton YMCA. (CNW Group/The Salvation Army Ontario Division)

In addition to meals, The Salvation Army is providing emotional and spiritual care and support to anyone in need, and working with other community partners to help provide meals until the situation can be resolved.

"The Salvation Army is an innovative partner and in times like this, when people in our community need assistance, it's an honour to be invited to help," said Annette Dreyer, Emergency Disaster Services team lead. "The Salvation Army has a proud tradition of serving those in need, dating back to the Halifax Explosion."

The Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services is an international network involving thousands of trained personnel worldwide. The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services personnel respond to incidents of various sizes and scopes throughout Ontario and across Canada. With its holistic ministry, the Salvation Army provides supports that meet the immediate, as well as long-term, physical, emotional and spiritual needs of disaster survivors and responders.

To help with this or any other emergency or disaster in Canada, please visit www.SalvationArmy.ca or contact 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

SOURCE The Salvation Army Ontario Division

Stephanie Couturier, Emergency Disaster Services Director, 647-335-6547