N.C. Baptists pouring help into Gulf Coast

BSC Communications

North Carolina Baptist disaster relief units are preparing thousands of meals and providing power, showers, laundry, child care, clean up and recovery and clean water to Hurricane Katrina victims in Mississippi.

Assigned to Meridian, Leakesville and Gulfport by the Southern Baptist disaster relief coordinating body, North Carolina Baptists were in Meridian just 48 hours after Katrina struck.

North Carolina Baptist Men's organization has begun a food box drive where volunteers can deliver food in person to families where grocery stores and personal food supplies have been wiped out. Food boxes will be picked up at five collection points on Sept. 14 and 15 and will be distributed by volunteers in the affected areas. The food to be included is very specific. Find details at www.ncmissions.com or directly at http://www.ncmissions.org/ministries/response/documents/HurricaneKatrinaFoodBox.pdf

Baptist Men act as the disaster relief arm of North Carolina Baptists. As of Sept. 5, they had served 85,000 meals in Meridian. They also had three shower units, laundry, water purification and child care. A recovery unit also was on site, which involves chain saws and clean up crews.

Three tractor-trailer loads of bottled water and other supplies also have been sent. John Gore of Thomasville is coordinating that effort on site. An administrative and chaplaincy team also is participating.

An assessment team is surveying needs in the region. Recovery teams will be organized when North Carolina Baptist Men receive the report. Recovery will be a long and slow process.

Hundreds have volunteered to help, and Baptist Men urge the volunteers to be patient as they prioritize needs, and match volunteer skills with the needs presented.

Recovery teams using chain saws and mudding out are currently working in Meridian, Leakesville, and Prentiss, Miss. and Satsumi, Ala.

If you are interested in helping call (800) 395-5102 ext. 341 or (919) 467-5100 ext. 341 or e-mail us at kmorgan@bscnc.org. Also please go to our website www.ncmissions.org for more information or to register to help.

To contribute make your check payable to N.C. Baptist Men, designated for Hurricane Katrina, and mail to: NC Baptist Men, Baptist State Convention, PO Box 1107, Cary, NC 27512. You can donate online at www.northcarolinabaptists.org.