The Salvation Army is in Owatonna, coordinating volunteer efforts for Steele County.

With Interstate 35 closed, volunteer staging areas have been set up in Owatonna on both sides of the highway - the National Guard Armory in the west and the Steele County Community Center in the east. The Salvation Army is dispatching volunteers from these locations to residents and businesses that need help building sandbag levees. Other volunteers are being kept at the Armory to fill sandbags.

Those interested in helping are asked to show up at either staging location. Large volunteer groups must first call 800-456-4483 by 4 p.m. today All volunteers are reminded that heavy lifting is required.

In addition to coordinating volunteer efforts, the Salvation Army is serving hot meals in Medford, New Richland, Pine Island and other communities affected by the flooding that has destroyed homes, closed schools and submerged roads across southern Minnesota.

Five Salvation Army mobile kitchens and crews have been working in southern Minnesota since Thursday evening. Two crews were sent from the Twin Cities, one from Mankato, one from Rochester and one from Albert Lea, which is acting as the command center for the operation.

The Salvation Army is prepared for emergency assistance through the sandbagging, and ultimately cleanup, of flooded businesses and homes. The primary focus will be on providing meals for residents and workers and offering free cleanup kits after the waters recede.

Donations can be made to support the Salvation Army's flood response by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769), online at www.thesalarmy.org or by mailing a check to 2445 Prior Av. N., Roseville, MN 55113. Be sure to designate your gift "Southern MN Floods."

JAMES WALSH