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Updated on April 17th, 2013:

The Salvation Army is providing support to survivors and first responders in Boston, Massachusetts, following the explosions that occurred near the Boston Marathon finish line Monday, which resulted in at least three deaths and left more than 140 people injured.

• Four Salvation Army canteens (mobile feeding kitchens) were positioned at various sites throughout the city, including the Unified Command Post, the Family Assistance Center at the Park Plaza Castle, and Kenmore Square.
  • The canteens were mobilized to Boston from nearby Salvation Army locations in Malden, Fitchburg, New Bedford, and Springfield.
  • The Salvation Army will remain on-site at the Family Assistance Center as long as support is needed.
• As of Tuesday afternoon, 2,229 meals, snacks and beverages were supplied to the survivors, families and first responders.
• The survivors and first responders also received emotional and spiritual care from 12 Salvation Army officers and 23 Salvation Army staff and volunteers.
  • Eight Salvation Army officers were also deployed to each of the area hospitals where the injured were transported to be on-hand if pastoral care was needed.

The Salvation Army is in constant communication with city and state emergency personnel, and will continue to provide support as needed and requested.

• The Salvation Army is collaborating with the Office of Emergency Management, the Boston Fire Department, the Boston Police Department, Sparks, the American Red Cross, the Department of Child, Youth and Families (DCYF), Riverside Trauma, and the Boston Public Health Commission.

The Salvation Army is extremely gratified for the continued support of the public.

• At this time, the best way to be of assistance is to make a financial contribution at www.salvationarmyma.org/marathonrelief.
• Personnel trained in crisis response are providing service. If you would like to volunteer for future needs or to be trained in disaster response, please visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.

For continued updates and more information from The Salvation Army, please visit http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/, www.facebook.com/salvationarmyusa or www.twitter.com/salvationarmyus.

Posted on April 16th, 2013:
The Salvation Army is providing support to survivors and first responders in Boston, Massachusetts, after two explosions occurred near the Boston Marathon finish line Monday afternoon. The blasts caused three deaths and 144  injuries for runners and spectators.

Salvation Army officers and volunteers have deployed two canteens (mobile feeding kitchens) to downtown Boston; one of the canteens will be stationed at the staging area for emergency responders, and the other will be stationed at a gathering spot for impacted families. Salvation Army officers who are trained in crisis counseling are also headed to relevant locations to provide emotional and spiritual care.

“The Salvation Army will be onsite for as long as needed to provide support. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston and all who were impacted by the explosions,” said Major Ron Busroe, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army is in constant communication with city and state emergency personnel, and will be providing support as needed and requested.

For continued updates and more information from The Salvation Army, please visit http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/, www.facebook.com/salvationarmyusa or www.twitter.com/salvationarmyus.