Episcopal Relief and Development Update

I am hearing from church leaders around the country that they are eager and ready to volunteer in Louisiana. I’m so moved and grateful to see how willing The Episcopal Church is to serve in this way, and I want to be sure that our folks are helping in the most effective ways that support, rather than overwhelm, local efforts. Thus far, the churches in Western Louisiana have been able to respond with their local members and friends; people who can return to their own homes and don’t need to be housed or fed. It’s amazing to see neighbors helping neighbors.

The Diocese of Louisiana is now at a place where it is ready to start booking out-of-area volunteer groups for the coming months. If you would like to volunteer to do clean-up work in the Diocese of Louisiana, please sign up here.

Leaders in the impacted area appreciate the spirit of giving that so many people exhibit in these times. However, receiving, storing, and distributing donated goods can be a huge drain on time and financial resources that are most needed elsewhere. Please do not send in-kind donations without being specifically requested to do so. Monetary donations are very much needed; however, please consider giving financially here.

We know that disaster recovery takes many weeks, sometimes months, and even years, and help will be needed down the road. Would you like to receive information about upcoming disaster-response mission-trip opportunities around the country? Please sign up at Ready to Serve,  www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/act/volunteer/ready-to-serve. We will share this list with leaders in the Diocese of Louisiana as they ramp up their volunteer program, and will keep you informed about other ways you can help respond to disasters around the United States.

Katie Mears
Director, US Disaster Preparedness and Response