NBCUniversal makes $50k donation to The Salvation Army Helen relief efforts in Savannah

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – The Salvation Army has provided programs and services to the Savannah community since 1990 and serve those in most need through shelter, social services, Angel Tree, community centers and during times of disasters.

When Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4, The Salvation Army commenced with activating teams across Georgia.

Major Jason Smith, of The Salvation Army, stated "The Salvation Army was here before the storm, during the storm and will be here after the storm."

At the onset over 1,000,000 customers were without power in Georgia and as of yesterday 250,000 still remain without power or cellular phone service.

Smith added, "The Salvation Army could not have provided the meals, food boxes, and water without great community partners. We are grateful for the generous gift of $50,000 from Comcast NBCUniversal to support this wonderful community."

UPDATED: Financial disaster assistance available in these Georgia counties

The Salvation Army has provided over 30,000 meals, 1,200 food boxes and 19,500 drinks and snacks in Savannah and surrounding counties. The Salvation Army Georgia Division have provided over 24 mobile feeding units, 140,000 meals, 100,000 drinks and snacks, and 2,776 boxes of food with over 140 volunteers and teams.

The Salvation has three Incident Management Teams located in Vidalia, Valdosta, and Alma. In addition, local Salvation Army units continue response in Augusta, Brunswick, and Waycross to the over 41 counties the Governor declared as Disaster Areas.

The Salvation Army says they will continue to coordinate efforts with Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) and other relief organizations to ensure a comprehensive and effective response.

With the generous support of communities, The Salvation Army can meet immediate needs during disaster responses. Contributing financially is the best way to help relief workers and those impacted by disasters, according to The Salvation Army. Financial contributions allow disaster responders to meet the specific needs of those impacted immediately.

During emergency disasters, The Salvation Army says 100% of designated gifts support specific relief efforts.