Episcopal Relief & Development has announced that there are multiple ways for Episcopalians to help those Gulf Coast individuals and businesses that have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

Krisita Jackson, the ERD’s representative for the Diocese of Central Florida, said folks throughout the diocese can access the ERD’s bulletin insert to see how to share information with their respective congregations, and gain up-to-date information on the response to Hurricane Harvey, as well as how to volunteer and hear about the disaster from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

To access bulletin inserts, please access http://www.episcopalrelief.org/church-in-action/worship-resources/bulletin-inserts on the internet.

To obtain more information on ERD’s response to Hurricane Harvey, please visit http://www.episcopalrelief.org/press-and-resources/press-releases/2017-press-releases/gulf-coast-episcopal-dioceses-prepare-to-respond-to-hurricane-harvey on the internet.

To learn how to volunteer, please access the ERD’s ready-to-serve database at https://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/volunteer/ready-to-serve on the internet.

A Hurricane Harvey Response Fund also has been set up to help the ERD support the Episcopal Church and other local partners as they provide emergency assistance to those in need. Contributions can be made in amounts as little as $15 to custom amounts. Please access http://www.episcopalrelief.org/hurricane-harvey-response to donate.

To hear Bishop Curry’s message about helping in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, please visit https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/video/presiding-bishops-message-hurricane-harvey on the internet.

The ERD is currently partnering with the Episcopal Diocese of Texas to provide emergency support, including providing items such as pastoral care, gift cards and funding for temporary housing. Some churches have been utilizing ministries and relationships to provide shelter, especially for those who are elderly or medically fragile. Food and emergency supplies and pastoral care are being offered for those who are displaced from their homes.

“The response to Harvey is developing as church partners and dioceses access and respond to impacted areas,” said Katie Mears, director of ERD’s U.S. Disaster Program in an ERD release. “We’re preparing for the relief and recovery phases. We will continue to partner with these dioceses in the weeks and months ahead.”

-30-