PRESS RELEASE
The Salvation Army Responds to Austin, Texas Plane Crash
Austin, TX – February 18, 2010 – The Salvation Army, Austin Area Command, has deployed a canteen (mobile feeding unit) to the downtown office building that was struck by a single engine plane a little after 10:00 AM Thursday morning.
At the request of the Austin Emergency Operations Center, Salvation Army staff and volunteers are on site providing food and hydration to the first responders. It is anticipated that the feeding unit will continue to serve responders for several days as the investigation into the crash takes place.
It is reported that the fire in the building, housing the federal IRS offices and 199 employees, is now under control and that firemen have entered the building. Local officials confirmed that the single occupant of the plane died, and two people were transported to a local Austin hospital with injuries as result of the crash.
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities nationwide. To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a credit card donation, call 651-746-3400 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks made out to The Salvation Army may be sent to 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113. Click below to make an online donation.
