It is said that trying times bring people together. The same is true for humanitarian organizations. Last week’s flood in Montgomery County left many residents without water, food, power, and a place to stay. The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army joined forces by bringing much-needed shelter, supplies, and sustenance to communities in need.

This was not a rare joining of effort on the part of either organization. In fact, the two work together often.

Salvation Army & Red Cross working together to help those affected by the flooding.

“Both the Salvation Army and the Red Cross are the first to respond to disasters and we frequently work side by side to accomplish a goal,” James Guzman, Director of Operation for the Salvation Army Montgomery County said. “The Salvation Army provides food and hydration while the Red Cross provides shelter, distributes clean-up kits as well as emergency supplies. They also go out and assess the damage to identify additional needs.”

Isabella Arguello Bacy who is the Senior Disaster Program Manager in Community Engagement for the Texas Gulf Coast Red Cross explains that the Red Cross is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that deeply values its community partners.

“Houston is a resourceful city with such a dynamic and flourishing makeup,” Bacy said. “Strong representative community partnerships, like the Salvation Army, allow us to best serve the diverse needs of the people in our mission to prevent and relieve human suffering.

Through trustworthy and ongoing collaborative efforts, the Red Cross can connect people with support and services that are dynamic, person-focused, equitable, shared with genuine compassion, and with a heart posture that embraces humility in service to all. Our desire is for our community partnerships to be reflective of the phenomenal people that we work alongside of and of those that we serve each day.

“We are so appreciative of the collaboration with the Red Cross,” Guzman said. “If anyone wants to donate to either the Salvation Army or the Red Cross we are putting the funds to good use.”

“Together, we can make a greater, lasting, transformative impact!”

If you would like to help flooding victims please go to redcross.org/Texas to donate today.

Story By: Kristen Lawler