A Christian agency responding to the Hurricane crisis finds itself stretched thinly.

USA (MNN)–First, it was tropical storm Bonnie. Then it was Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan. As each successive storm struck at the coast, it brought billions in damaes.

So, with 70 days left in this hurricane season, it’s an understatement to say that 2004 has been a disastrous season for the southern U-S.

Salvation Army Spokesman Major George Hood says the unprecedented hurricanes have severely stretched their resources and staff to near breakpoint. “We do not, historically, stockpile funds for these kinds of disasters. We just go out in faith and respond with ministry and service. Our expectation is that we are spending an excess of 40-million dollars responding to these various disasters.”
The Salvation Army is part of the “Christian Emergency Network”, which meets physical and spiritual needs after disaster.

Assessment teams say they are balancing three simultaneous recovery projects. Centers provide food, paper products, toiletries, baby care, clean-up kits, bottled water and cash vouchers for perishable food.

Other parts of the effort have moved out of the critical stage and into the recovery stage. That means manpower. It also means more money. But, it’s really about more than funding. Hood says they need spiritual help, too. “Well, it’s very important that the body of Christ pray and pray desperately for these people. Pray that resources will be made available for us to respond in the way that we believe we need to respond.”