Volunteers from The Salvation Army pass out lunches to LaBelle residents Saturday, September 23. (Submitted photo/Megan Narehood)

On September 22, The Salvation Army set up a mobile canteen at Seacoast Bank to provide meals for LaBelle residents in need of assistance due to Hurricane Irma. Between September 22 and September 26, they served about 2,000 meals and gave out supplies including tarps, bug spray, flashlights, batteries, diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, pre-charged cell phone batteries, and other items. The Salvation Army also sent out roaming crews to remote areas and to people who were not able to come to the mobile canteen.

According to a spokesperson for The Salvation Army their estimates are that about 90 percent of LaBelle residents have returned to “normal” pre-Irma conditions. About ten percent of LaBelle’s residents are still feeling the effects of Irma two weeks after the storm passed through LaBelle as a Category 2 Hurricane. As the weeks following Irma go on fewer residents of LaBelle are impacted.

“We are here for everyone. We are still in Hurricane Season and pro-activeness is great,” said the spokesperson.

The Salvation Army of Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties website lists the following items to have prepared for Hurricane Season:

Water

• At least one gallon per person for three days.

Food

• At least a three day supply of non-perishable foods • Manual can opener • Baby food and formula • Powdered milk • Canned meat, fruit, vegetables, box juices, etc.

Electronics

• Battery powered or hand cranked radio • Flashlight with extra batteries • Cell phone with charger (solar charger if possible)

First Aid/ Sanitation

• Seven-day supply of prescription medications • Latex gloves • Sterile dressings • Antibiotic ointment • Burn ointment • Adhesive bandages in various sizes • Eye wash solution • Thermometer • Prescribed medical supplies (glucose and blood pressure monitors and supplies) • Aspirin or non-aspirin pain relievers • Anti-diarrhea medication • Laxative • Scissors, tweezers • Petroleum jelly • Sun screen, bug spray

• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation • Toothbrush, tooth paste, toilet paper, soap, shampoo • Whistle to signal for help • Diapers • Glasses

Tools/Clean Up Supplies

• Hammer • Scissors • Screw drivers • Pliers • Wrench • Saw • Matches (store in waterproof bag) or lighters • Dusk mask, plastic sheeting, and duct tape • Bleach

Documents/Money

“There are things you can do to prepare prior to a storm to protect yourself and your family. Put together a basic hurricane kit and store contents in one place. You could even use a large plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Contents of your hurricane kit should include:”

• Cash, checks, or travelers checks • Insurance policies • Identification • Bank account records in a portable, waterproof container.

The Salvation Army also states to have enough food and water for your pets.

You can print the list above and find a printable Emergency Financial First Aid kit at http://www.salvationarmyflorida.org/fortmyers/are-you-prepared-for-a-hurricane/.

If you need long term assistance or housing shelter you can call 211. Housing assistance is limited.