September 4, 2005 (Baltimore, MD) – Lutheran Services in America Member Organizations and their Partners are Making Progress in Responding to Katrina Disaster
Lutheran Services in America, along with its member organizations, is working with Lutheran Disaster Response in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The news coverage from the disaster area makes clear that the problems are monumental.
However, by the grace of God and the work and generosity of many, progress is being made. Hundreds of thousands of people have been relocated to temporary safe havens – especially in Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, and San Antonio.
Sizeable groups of people will begin arriving in other states, such as Minnesota, Michigan, and West Virginia within the next week. The basics of food and shelter are being provided until longer term solutions are in place. In Alabama and Mississippi,
communication has been re-established and it is clear that, except for the mile-wide area nearest the Gulf, the recovery work can begin soon. It is anticipated that teams of volunteers will be able to go into these areas as early as next week to begin clean
up and reconstruction work.
Lutheran Disaster Response is a cooperative effort of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod with a proven track record of providing assistance in the face of disaster. LDR has established a reputation for
responding quickly and remaining on the scene for the long haul. LDR works in partnership with Lutheran health and human service organizations, congregations, and other partners to provide assistance in cost efficient ways to communities that go far
beyond just the Lutheran community.
The most urgent need is the generation of financial resources to provide the greatest flexibility of response. You may channel your contributions through Lutheran Disaster Response by donating to either:
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764
Phone (with credit card) 800-638-3522
www.elca.org
OR
LCMS World Relief and Human Care
1333 South Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122-7295
Credit Card Gift Line: 888-930-4438
www.lcms.org
Those individuals who are willing to volunteer or make in-kind contributions of materials or capacity are asked to send that information to Lutheran Disaster Response by e-mail so that it can be entered into a database that will serve as a virtual warehouse into which coordinators can dip as they identify needs. Please send detailed information specifying what is being offered and contact information to Erin.Day@elca.org. Please be patient as there will be great need over many months.
Specific updates include:
As these efforts target immediate needs, planning is underway among Lutheran organizations and other partners to identify longer term needs and move quickly, in a coordinated way, to be ready for the challenges of the months and years ahead. You are invited to check this website on a regular basis for the latest information about these plans and to find out how you can help.Lutheran Social Services of the South continues to provide on-the-ground help in the affected area, especially in assisting with the support of displaced persons who have been evacuated to Texas. The late-breaking good news is that residents of the organization’s Peace Lake Towers residential facility in New Orleans were all rescued by the Coast Guard on September 2. Many LSS staff members are laboring to help others even as they deal with their own grief and loss.
Lutheran Services of Georgia is working with Lutheran Disaster Response as the local affiliate to coordinate the work now going into high gear in Alabama and Mississippi.
Lutherans and Episcopalians have jointly committed to be among those providing meals to persons temporarily housed in the Houston Astrodome.
Mosaic, another LSA member organization, is opening space in its Texas facility for evacuees with disabilities.
Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries has made a gift of $100,000 to Lutheran Disaster Response, and will match contributions made by employees and residents of its senior living communities, up to an additional $50,000.
For the latest information and to learn more about how you can help you are encouraged to visit the Lutheran Disaster Response website at www.ldr.org.