The Albert Lea Salvation Army can be reached at 373-5710.

The Freeborn County Red Cross chapter can be reached at 373-4544.

Disaster relief officials in Freeborn County are calling the damage from last week’s tornadoes some of the most widespread they’ve seen over their years in emergency response.

Right after the tornadoes struck on Thursday evening, trained volunteers and staff with the Albert Lea Salvation Army and Freeborn County Chapter of the American Red Cross began responding to people in need across the county. They say they plan to continue their efforts through the week, or as long the services are needed.

As of Monday morning, the Albert Lea Salvation Army disaster response teams have distributed more than 11,000 beverages, more than 4,000 meals and more than 3,000 snacks to people, whether it is those whose homes or property have been destroyed or the friends and family who have come to aid in cleanup, said Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever.

More than 10,000 people have been served.

“Just when you think you’ve seen the worse, you go to the next house and it’s even worse,” said Capt. Lee Brickson.

This was her first opportunity to provide disaster relief services. She said she has been amazed to see people excited about a simple sandwich and a bottle of water.

She said the memories will remain with her for a lifetime.

“I am truly blessed by the loving compassion of these communities,” she said.

Three mobile canteens, two vans and one pickup are being used to facilitate services. More than 1,000 volunteer hours through the Salvation Army have already been expended, as of Monday morning, Kluever said.

The Salvation Army has also provided the use of small generators for emergency applications. The divisional headquarters of the Albert Lea Salvation Army, located in Roseville, has sent down nearly two dozen generators for temporary use by affected residents, according to a press release.

Donations from Hy-Vee, Nelson’s Market Place, Ace Auto Sales, Southern Minnesota Landscaping and Pizza Ranch have also contributed to the response.

Capt. Jim Brickson said the Salvation Army has been driving around and answering calls for help to reach people in need, and if someone has been missed they are encouraged to call the Salvation Army office.

Salvation Army crews from Minneapolis, Grand Forks, N.D., and the Fargo-Moorhead area are assisting in Wadena, where there has also been much concentrated damage.

Local American Red Cross Director Jeanie Opdahl said her crew has been busy with disaster assessment through Sunday, going from house to house to check and see what kinds of damages were present and how many buildings were affected. The agency jumped aboard with the distribution of meals Sunday afternoon.

Starting Sunday afternoon, the Freeborn County Chapter of the American Red Cross was slated to distribute meals north of Interstate 90 and the Salvation Army was going to distribute meals south of Interstate 90, Jim Brickson said.

Opdahl said this disaster has been a challenge to respond to because it has been so widespread.

“Typically when we’ve had tornadoes before, it’s been in a pocket,” she said. “If there’s pockets of people we’ve missed, we’d certainly like to hear about it.”

She said she’s appreciated the help from people in the community.

“Anytime there’s a tornado, it’s very costly,” Opdahl said. “We’re going to need a lot of community support.”