Bobcat and Salvation Army Team Up for Disaster Response

Bobcat Company has strengthened disaster preparedness and response across the United States through a powerful partnership with The Salvation Army. Together, the two organizations are equipping communities with the tools, resources and support needed to respond faster and rebuild stronger when disaster strikes.

Closing the Gap in Disaster Logistics

When hurricanes tore through the Southeast in 2024, The Salvation Army deployed teams to distribute meals, water, clean-up kits and emotional care. But like many disaster response organizations, they faced a major challenge: accessing the right equipment fast enough to support large-scale relief operations.

To help close that critical gap, Bobcat donated 23 essential machines—including forklifts, portable generators and light towers—valued at $885,000. These units are now housed in Emergency Disaster Services warehouses, ready for immediate deployment when the next crisis hits.

Equipment That Powers Life-Saving Work

The impact of this donation is immediate and measurable. Forklifts unload pallets of food and water in record time. Portable generators power mobile kitchens when the grid goes down. Light towers illuminate distribution sites long into the night, allowing relief teams to continue serving families safely and efficiently.

“Partners like Bobcat make it possible for The Salvation Army to respond swiftly and effectively when communities are devastated by disaster,” said Commissioner Merle Heatwole, National Commander of The Salvation Army. “Their generosity ensures we can bring relief and hope to those who need it most.”

A Partnership Built on Purpose

Bobcat has spent more than sixty years empowering people to accomplish more—from construction sites to communities in need. Supporting The Salvation Army aligns with the company’s mission to strengthen resilience and deliver solutions where they matter most.

“Our collaboration with The Salvation Army allows Bobcat and our equipment to make an even greater impact,” said Laura Ness Owens, Chief Marketing Officer at Doosan Bobcat. “We’re helping communities recover faster and prepare for what’s ahead.”

From Reactive to Proactive Relief

This partnership represents a shift toward proactive, long-term disaster readiness. With Bobcat equipment staged and ready at The Salvation Army’s facilities, response teams no longer lose valuable time sourcing machinery during an emergency. Instead, they can mobilize quickly—reducing downtime, lowering costs and protecting more lives.

Building Resilience for the Future

Whether the challenge is a hurricane, flood, wildfire or winter storm, the goal is the same: deliver help when it’s needed most. Through this ongoing partnership, Bobcat and The Salvation Army are building stronger systems, supporting vulnerable communities and ensuring a faster path to recovery.

For Bobcat, this work reflects a longstanding commitment to empower people and strengthen the places they call home. For The Salvation Army, the partnership provides the tools that make their mission possible—light, power, lifting strength and hope.

When disaster strikes, every minute matters. Working together, Bobcat and The Salvation Army are making those minutes count.