FEMA Corps Supports Salvation Army’s Feeding Effort in Galena

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — After serving nearly 14,000 meals since beginning feeding operations in Galena, The Salvation Army has transferred its food-preparation operation to Anchorage for the winter. Beginning Monday, survivors in Galena will receive meals prepared at the Salvation Army’s central kitchen, packed with the help of FEMA Corps members and shipped by air.

“While survivors are making progress toward recovery, there is still a need for prepared meals in Galena,” said Jenni Ragland, The Salvation Army emergency services director. “The Salvation Army is providing meals to survivors in shelters and those without the means to prepare meals in their homes.”

FEMA Corps is an innovative partnership between two federal agencies that combines the disaster expertise of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with the service leadership of the Corporation for National and Community Service and AmeriCorps. FEMA Corps members are working alongside FEMA’s existing workforce in Alaska in assisting citizens and communities impacted by the floods of May 17 through June 11, 2013.

More than 500 frozen meals prepared and packed in Anchorage will arrive in Galena by Monday, the first day of the new meal service. On any given day, survivors will be able to choose from a variety of nutritious, hearty meals, such as meatloaf with macaroni and cheese, pork roast or chili with corn bread.

“We will provide a self-serve breakfast and a frozen dinner. People can heat the dinners in microwaves at the community center and take them home to eat as a family,” said Ragland. “This will help restore a sense of normalcy to their lives.”             

Meal preparation and deliveries will continue through the winter, as long as there is need for support.