WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Because of an overwhelming public response, The Salvation Army has run out of warehouse space in New York and Washington. As local goods donations were replaced Wednesday by tractor-trailer shipments, leaders of The Salvation Army's Pentagon search and recovery support effort offered growing concern with the quantity of materials arriving from outside the D.C. Metro area.
After transferring its receiving and processing operations to a 150,000-square-foot warehouse last Saturday, The Salvation Army issued a September 15 public request to curtail goods donations. Through Tuesday morning, volunteers processed an estimated 376,000 pounds of food, toiletries, paper products and other items.
Twelve hours later, incoming shipments totaling more than 300,000 additional pounds had swelled warehouse use to 55% of its capacity. "It's changed from cars, minivans and pickup trucks to 48 and 55-foot-long trailers carrying about 68,000 pounds apiece," said Captain Rob Vincent, warehouse manager. "Resources are just pouring in, and we are quickly reaching the saturation point."
A statement released last weekend from Lt. Colonel William Crabson, Salvation Army National Capital and Virginia divisional commander, indicated that supplies are sufficient to meet "present and anticipated demands." Still, numerous unsolicited shipments arrive daily.
"We have all the materials we need," said Vincent, "but money is needed. Funds are expended presently for various special-need items. It is premature to identify long-term needs, anticipated to extend into years."
Meanwhile, 3,521 Salvation Army volunteers, 52 officers and 50 employees have served in various leadership and support functions during the first week of "Operation Noble Eagle."
To supplement food service efforts, 15 replacement workers from eight North and South Carolina Salvation Army commands arrived overnight. They will assume most mobile kitchen operations tonight, and others are expected throughout the day. Over seven days, Salvation Army personnel from six states and the District of Columbia had served more than 35,000 meals at four Pentagon perimeter locations: Fort Myer, Reagan National Airport, the Salvation Army supply warehouse and via a roving unit along Capitol Hill and the White House.
Commissioner John Busby, National Commander of The Salvation Army, toured the Pentagon site earlier this week. Salvation Army officers provide spiritual and emotional counseling near the Pentagon and in New York at Family Assistance Centers.
Call (800) SAL-ARMY to find out how you can help. Monetary donations may be sent to The Salvation Army, 2626 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037, or 120 W. 14th Street, New York, NY 10011, earmarked Disaster Relief. You may also donate online at www.salvationarmyusa.org.