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To prepare for hurricane season, the Salvation Army is equipped with enough supplies but not enough volunteers. So the Broward County Disaster Relief Program is looking for helpers, 18 and older, to hand out food, water, and lend an ear to victims.
Before hitting the streets during a storm, volunteers must train in on-site disaster work, leadership and first aid.
Instead of handing out canned food and bottled water, volunteers will operate mobile feeding canteens that provide free, cooked meals.
Volunteers also are needed to provide a listening ear, allowing victims to grieve and be heard.
“We do it to help people emotionally,” said Alyse Gossman, Disaster Relief Program volunteer coordinator. “Obviously the food and water is important, but we try to rehabilitate their lives because sometimes they are destroyed by a disaster.”
When hurricane season ends Nov. 30, the Salvation Army still needs volunteers to help give out water on a hot day or deliver food in the canteen truck, Gossman said.
The relief program expects a commitment from volunteers and would like to have them on call throughout the year.
“There’s always things we can do,” Gossman said, “but we can always use volunteers.”
All classes will be at the Salvation Army Corps Community Center, 100 SW Ninth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Contact the Salvation Army at alyse_gossman@uss.salvationarmy.org or call 954-712-2435.
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