ALEXANDRIA, VA (October 23, 2007) - Having completed recovery efforts surrounding the 2003 southern California wildfires only weeks ago, The Salvation Army has once again mobilized to provide assistance and support to relief workers and survivors in the wake of the latest series of blazes. To date, nine mobile canteen units have been deployed throughout the area and six additional units have been mobilized. Thus far, the canteens have provided more than 15,000 meals and 15,000 drinks to thousands of individuals impacted by the disaster. In addition, the Army is providing cots, cups and personal care kits to responders and survivors, along with emotional and spiritual care.

"Our primary goal is responding to the immediate needs of the thousands of evacuees and relief workers in the area," said Lt. Col Doug O'Brien, divisional commander, The Salvation Army's Sierra Del Mar Division covering San Diego County. "Over the long-term, we expect to have many thousands of people who will need our help with long-term recovery to rebuild their homes and lives."

Specific Salvation Army activities include:

• Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego, CA): Two Salvation Army mobile kitchen units have provided thousands of meals and drinks at the stadium evacuation site. Earlier this afternoon, San Diego Padres third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and about a dozen front office staff assisted The Salvation Army in serving food to evacuees.The players and staff also visited with evacuees and children after lunch and handed out toiletries and packaged foods, accompanied by a Newsweek photographer.

• Additional Canteen Units (San Diego area): Canteens are also serving at Steel Canyon High School, Santana High School, Campo Community Center, Lakeside Hanson Ranch, Escondido High School and Fallbrook (mobile).

• Orange County, CA: A mobile feeding unit served more than 250 commanders of the Orange County Fire Authority at their command post at Irvine Park on Monday. Today, the canteen served fire evacuees in the Albertson's shopping center parking lot in the city of Orange.

• Los Angeles, CA: Four canteen units have been dispatched in Los Angeles providing food, drinks, 300 cots and 3,000 personal care kits to fire survivors. The care kits include a toothbrush, wash cloth, comb, shampoo and other items.

• Elsewhere: In Los Angeles County, where fires continue to burn in Malibu Canyon, Santa Clarita, and other areas, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster personnel remain on standby, ready to respond when requested by County authorities.