With the eruption of Mauna Loa starting overnight, The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division were already on standby to provide food for evacuation shelters should Hawaii County require evacuations.

Leading up to the event, Victor Leonardi of The Salvation Army stated;

“The Salvation Army has an established presence on Hawaii Island, and we are ready to respond with food services in our island communities as needs arise,”

“During emergencies, the best way to help those in need is to provide monetary donations which allows the delivery of the exact relief supplies a community needs. Plus, The Salvation Army uses one-hundred percent of all donations designated ‘disaster relief’ in support of disaster operations.”

The Salvation Army – Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division offers a wide variety of programs throughout the islands including: affordable senior housing; at-risk youth services and housing; church services and programs; emergency disaster services; family stores; food distribution and feeding programs; homeless services; The Kroc Center – and much more. For more information, visit hawaii.salvationarmy.org.