EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WKBN)- The Salvation Army post in Salem has been on standby since the train derailment that happened last Friday evening. They said they’ve been able to offer residents support with food as well as cleaning supplies and just pointing them in the right direction.

The Salvation Army set up two trucks Thursday morning to welcome East Palestine residents back home. Captain Angelica Spence walked me through what SOME of their relief efforts looked like. Residents could pick up cleaning kits filled with various items.

Gloves, trash bags, mops and much more to help ease the potential burden of cleanup efforts.
Captain Spence tells me a hot meal was provided because there is still so much unknown as people return home. According to the Captain, the organization offers more than just supplies and food.

“There’s a lot of people who were afraid, um so they need somebody to talk to and so that’s something we’re available for if they need the extra support to be reminded that they’re not alone. That’s a big blessing for them to know that they don’t have to go through this alone,” said Salvation Army Captain Angelica Spence.

The Salvation Army said that their work here isn’t done. they say that they will continue to support the residents of East Palestine as they return to normalcy in East Palestine.

On Wednesday, the evacuation ban in East Palestine was lifted and residents could return to their homes.