Immediately following the horrific bombings in Boston, The Salvation Army went into action, providing practical and spiritual help to victims, to their families, and to first responders.

Officers and volunteers deployed four canteens (mobile feeding kitchens) to downtown Boston; they stationed one of the canteens at the staging area for emergency responders, and another at a gathering spot for families of the people injured by the bombs. The canteens visited sites throughout the city including the Unified Command Post, the Family Assistance Center at the Park Plaza Castle, and at Kenmore Square. The survivors, their families, and first responders received more than 2,229 meals, snacks, and beverages.