Wake County Salvation Army staff helping Irma victims in Florida

WAKE COUNTY (WTVD) -- Four employees of the Salvation Army of Wake County are in Florida to provide food to Hurricane Irma victims.

"We're providing assistance by providing hot meals, water, breakfast, lunch, dinner, as well as offering prayers," said the Salvation Army of Wake County Community Center Director Sarah Ruiz.

For many victims, this will be the first hot meal they've eaten in days.

"We're hearing there's a lot of flooding," Ruiz told ABC11 while she was traveling to Florida. "Of course, when there's a lot of flooding, things are closed down. Some people are not able to leave. I would think we'd find a lot of hungry families, a lot of hungry people."

Irma's devastation brings back memories for fellow employee Michelle Isidore, the head cook for the Salvation Army of Wake County.

Isidore left New Orleans two days before Hurricane Katrina made landfall and eventually went back to see the impact.

"It may bring flashbacks, but I just want to be here, just to give them help and give them hope and moral support; to let them know that what you went through, that you'll get through it," said Isidore.

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The group left Raleigh on Monday, loaded up with supplies in Charleston, and arrived in Florida on Wednesday. They could be there 10 to 14 days.

They traveled with a mobile feeding unit and another vehicle.

Nine other units from the Salvation Army of North and South Carolina are also helping in that area.

For more information about Hurricane Irma relief, visit their website or give them a call: 1 (800) 725-2769.

Donations can be made via mail. Checks (designated to Hurricane Irma) can be sent to:

The Salvation Army

PO BOX 1959

Atlanta, GA 30301

To receive a donation link via text: Text STORM to 51555