One year after Matthew, Salvation Army continues to recover in Fayetteville

Captain Matt Trantham will never forget the day flood water from Hurricane Matthew came rushing in to the Salvation Army shelter on Alexander Street.

"The first place that the water came in was the front door and then immediately after the family rooms on this side of the building," he said.

During the storm, the building became a shelter to more than 150 people. When the shelter flooded, Trantham moved the crowd into the gym

The families that used to live in the shelter had to leave while repairs are being made to reopen. The storm also wiped out the kitchen which provided a daily love lunch to hundreds in need.

"Since the storm, and since the renovation, we have not been able to keep those programs open," Trantham said.

The Fayetteville City Rescue Mission is helping to feed those who used to depend on the Salvation Army. About 200 people are served hot meals three or four times a week.

"They come though and have a hot lunch from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.," said Shamica Council with the rescue mission.

And with Christmas just around the corner, bells will soon ring encouraging donations at the red kettles. Trantham says the need will be even greater this year for toys and clothes for their Angel Tree Program.

"Last Christmas, shortly after the storm, we saw an increase in the number of families that we ended up helping. We helped roughly 4,000 individuals and families," Trantham said.

The Salvation Army in Fayetteville never stopped helping, they just modified what they can do.