How to Help East Texas Storm Victims

EAST TEXAS — Help continues to be offered after residents across East Texas were pummeled by severe storms and tornadoes Sunday. The Salvation Army went into action Monday with disaster teams onsite in Van to provide services in the wake of the devastating tornado that occurred there. The disaster canteen (mobile kitchen) from the Tyler Corps was deployed and has been providing breakfast, lunch, dinner, refreshments, hydration, and spiritual and emotional care to survivors and first responders. Approximately 1,000 servings were given on Tuesday to the first responders as well as those who were affected by the tornado. The Salvation Army expect to continue this service through Saturday or longer, to be determined by the local Emergency Management Office.

Financial donations are needed to assist with food and fuel. They can be made in the following ways to support The Salvation Army’s response to the Van, TX tornado:
• MAIL – please send checks to The Salvation Army, PO Box 2050 Tyler, TX 75710 and
write in the memo “Van Tornado”
• PHONE at 903-592.4361
• ONLINE at http://www.salvationarmytexas.org/tyler
• TEXT “VAN” to 41444 to donate on your mobile device.
For more information about The Salvation Army’s disaster response effort, please go to http://www.Facebook.com/SalvationArmyTyler or visit the Salvation Army link shown above.

Numerous other agencies and locals have set up donation stations and special accounts to assist with recovery and clean-up, according to our news partner, KETK. A shelter has been set up at the First Baptist Church in Van, housing close to 100 people. A shelter has been set up at the 1st United Methodist Church. About 50 people have checked into the Red Cross shelter. The American Red Cross has suggested people use the Safe and Well website https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php to connect with families.

The organization’s disaster relief team is handing out food and water. Nova Medical Center, located at 747 South Beckham in Tyler, and Coupe’s Cafe and Game Room, located at 220 North Cedar Street in Van, are accepting donations for the victims. Van Community Ministries at 201 South Maple Street in Van and the Assembly of God located at 401 North Maple Street are also taking in items. Vista Academy in Tyler has also declared themselves as a drop-off location for school supply donations.

Nicholas’ Pet Haven, along with Team Spano Animal Rescue have partnered up to take in lost dogs. Dr. Gary Spence, of Tyler, is taking dogs with injuries under Nicholas’ Pet Haven. All of the pets that are found will be housed in Tyler-area homes and the organization is need of emergency foster homes. Rescue is taking in stray dogs. If you think your pet may be lost, be contact the organization at 903-312-7585. A Facebook page has been set up by NPH under the name Van Texas Tornado – Pets and Animals Lost, where residents can post pictures of their pets to see if the organization has taken them in.

The Broadway Square Mall in Tyler has partnered with the Dixie Fire Department to collect items for the victims. They are taking in water, blankets, non-perishable food items, toiletries and clothing. You can take these items to the Guest Services office inside the mall.

The Grand Saline Police Department is also taking in donations to help support the efforts, as Van drop-off locations are being flooded with items.

Simply Bertie’s in Lindale is offering a free meal to Van residents, with ID, for the next few days. The eatery is located at 16075 Farm to Market Road 849. You can contact them at 903-881-9391.

You can also donate a monetary gift of $10 by visiting RedCross.org, texting “RedCross” to 90999 or calling 1(800) Red-Cross (732-8161).

According to officials, some individuals and/or groups are setting up GoFundMe accounts for the storm victims. While most of these efforts may be in good faith, be aware there are those who will take advantage of kind-hearted individuals in time of great despair. Officials encourage those wishing to help to donate to the locations listed above to make sure supplies are going to the proper place.