Hurricane Relief Groups Shift Focus to ''Recovery Distribution Phase''
''We have been able to consolidate several feeding sites and release those feeding units for response in other parts of the state. However, there are still many areas without power and feeding is still a very important function of our efforts here
Power and electric companies across Florida reported on Monday morning that the majority of their outlets, which were shut down from the devastation of the chain of hurricanes this season, was restored. With electricity back up and long-term recovery efforts underway, Christian relief groups rotated in and out of disaster areas according to the residents’ needs.
Despite some progress in rebuilding and reconstructing homes, relief groups such as the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board (NAMB) and the Salvation Army focused their efforts on continuing feeding operations.
According to the NAMB, “Kitchens are serving out of 12 sites in Florida,” by October 2. “Churches hosting units and/or teams include FBC Avon Park, Lean Vista Baptist Church (Auburndale), FBC Barefoot Bay, FBC Bartow, FBC Bushnell, Westside Baptist Church (Ft. Pierce), FBC Melbourne, FBC Port St. Lucie, Cornerstone Baptist Church (Sebastian), FBC Stuart, FBC Cross City, and First Church of God (Vero Beach).”
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In addition to feeding units, the NAMB has continued to place “recovery, shower, and laundry units” on site, with “more traveling to Florida or in the process of mobilization.”
The Salvation Army also reported having fifty eight mobile feeding units on-scene in over a dozen counties.
Despite the ongoing efforts, both the NAMB and the Salvation Army said financial flows are crucial for the work to continue.
“We have been able to consolidate several feeding sites and release those feeding units for response in other parts of the state. However, there are still many areas without power and feeding is still a very important function of our efforts here,” said Major Don Vick, incident commander for The Salvation Army in Escambia County.
According to Vick, the Salvation Army will begin transitioning to a “recovery distribution phase” beginning Monday.
To give to the Salvation Army, send donations to: The Salvation Army “Disaster Relief” P.O. Box 270848, Tampa, FL 33688, or online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
To make a contribution to the NAMB, make checks payable to the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and mail to: NAMB, P.O. Box 116543, Atlanta, GA 30368-6543. To make a donation online using a credit card, go to: www.namb.net/dr.
