Kent : The Salvation Army to Unveil its First Dual-Purpose Disaster Relief Trailer in the Wisconsin Upper Michigan Area

WAUWATOSA, WIS. (Jan. 16, 2017) - An innovative disaster relief trailer that will be equipped with a unique radio mobile communications unit, air conditioning unit, and ample storage for emergency product distribution such as beverages and small meals, is being unveiled at 1:30 p.m. on Wed., Jan. 18, at The Salvation Army's Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Divisional Headquarters (11315 West Watertown Plank Rd.). The trailer was donated to the division by Sqwincher Corporation, a leading manufacturer of heat and cold stress hydration products.

The trailer, donated by Sqwincher Corporation, will feature a Radio Mobile Communications System and Hydration Dispensary

The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) system will allow the trailer to serve as the hub for communication transmissions during disaster relief efforts and general ministry outreach throughout the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan area, a first for this region. The trailer can accommodate two to three staff people at any given time.

Following the dedication event, the trailer will be based out of Eagle River. The trailer will make its first appearance at the IronLine Sled Dog Race on Fri., Jan. 27, in Iron County, Mich., where it will be used for dispensing hydration products to event staff and participants.

'This trailer is the first of its kind for The Salvation Army in this territory that provides a dual purpose in terms of support and outreach at an event,' said Major Steven Merritt, Divisional Commander of the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Division, one of 10 divisions that make up the Central Territory of The Salvation Army. 'Not only are we going to be able to communicate effectively to the residents of a particular community during an emergency, but also help sustain them with supplies of hydration products and other necessities. This trailer really allows us to broaden our reach in terms of the number of people we can now serve in this area.'

The idea for the trailer donation originated when the two companies joined efforts to help storm victims in Baton Rouge, La., following the historic flooding there this past August. Sqwincher had donated 47 pallets of hydrating drinks and other products to the ongoing relief effort. At the time, Salvation Army volunteers were utilizing numerous drink coolers to store the products as they were being distributed to the Baton Rouge residents.

'We realized immediately how much more effective a product dispensary and vending trailer would be in assisting during a disaster and community outreach situations like this, and we wanted to help,' said Dan Rosado, vice president of sales and marketing at Sqwincher. 'The Salvation Army provides a critical support system for people in need and we are thrilled to be able to help in this effort.'

Rosado said Sqwincher had completed its mission of promoting proper hydration through a nationwide taste tour of industrial plants and decided to donate the unit to The Salvation Army. The trailer will soon be outfitted with the emergency radio communications system. Unique to this trailer, is the ability for staff to dispense products from three sides simultaneously, the rear and both sides.

About Kent Corporation

The Sqwincher Corporation, a subsidiary of Kent Precision Foods Group and Kent Corporation, was founded in 1975. Sqwincher manufactures a line of hydration products that feature a unique distribution strategy and a distinctive approach to formulation. Sqwincher was acquired in 2015 by Kent Corporation.

Kent Corporation is a diversified family owned corporation with subsidiary companies developing science and nutrition-based finished food products, food and beverage ingredients, nutraceutical and personal care applications, animal nutrition and companion animal products. The subsidiary companies consist of Grain Processing Corporation (GPC), Kent Nutrition Group, Kent Pet Group, headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa, and Kent Precision Foods Group headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. The company has approximately 2,000 employees and does business in the U.S., Canada, and around the world. For more information, please visit www.sqwincher.com and www.kentww.com.

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. Eighty-two cents of every dollar spent is used to carry out those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, please visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.