D.C. Salvation Army receives special delivery from FedEx

FedEx Corp. recently enlisted the help of former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs and professional NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin to make a special delivery to The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command at the Harbor Light Center in Washington D.C. As part of its commitment to supporting disaster relief efforts around the world, FedEx donated a custom Disaster Response Unit (DRU) to The Salvation Army—the first vehicle of its kind to be used in Washington D.C.

“At FedEx, we are passionate about helping people prepare for the unexpected and are known for making critical deliveries when and where it counts,” said Rose Flenorl, manager of social responsibility for FedEx. “Through the donation of this new Disaster Response Unit, we hope to help The Salvation Army continue to deliver much needed food and aid to D.C. residents in their times of need.”

The co-branded DRU, valued at $100,000, is one of 12 units that FedEx has donated to The Salvation Army global fleet during the past two years. It features the latest equipment and technology to assist disaster response personnel in helping community members before, during and after emergencies such as fires, earthquakes, floods or other weather-related disasters. The custom-designed and built unit includes a fully functional kitchen where workers and volunteers can prepare meals to feed approximately 2,500 people per day. It will assist in The Salvation Army’s GRATE Patrol Mobile Feeding Program, which feeds anywhere from 50-100 people per evening, 365 days each year.

“Mobile feeding units are the backbone of The Salvation Army’s disaster response capability as well as our day-to-day feeding mission,” said Major Steve Morris, area commander for the Army’s National Capital Area Command. “These Disaster Response Units, like the one donated by FedEx, allow our personnel to be among the first to reach the site of destruction and help ease the suffering of our hungry neighbors by allowing us to reach them with the meals they need.”