The extreme damage and chaos that Hurricanes Helene and Milton left in their wake is tragic and heartbreaking. When Milton first made landfall on Wednesday evening, it was a category three. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told The Hill that the top wind speed was expected to be 120 mph as it made landfall.
This particular wind speed will cause major damage to even well-constructed homes. Power outages will last up to several weeks, and roads and bridges will be blocked or washed out, according to weather.gov. To complicate matters even further, as of Wednesday evening, DeSantis said there were 116 tornado warnings, with 19 confirmed touchdowns, according to The Hill. Basically, many areas look like war zones.
Several Christian organizations are already taking action and coordinating relief efforts. Here are 7 Christian organizations helping with hurricane disaster relief and how Christians can partner with these organizations.
Photo Credit: ©Canva Pro
1. Matthew 25 Ministries
Matthew 25 Ministries is a disaster relief ministry and has already deployed disaster response teams to the areas that Hurricane Helene ravaged. Product donations can be dropped off at their headquarters for those near the northern Cincinnati, Ohio, area. Some of the items being requested include:
- Cases of bottled water (12 and 25 counts)
- Personal care items such as antibacterial soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, body wash and deodorant
- Cleaning supplies such as laundry detergent, bleach, mops, buckets, scrub brushes, and rubber gloves
- Paper products such as toilet paper and paper towels
- Baby and infant supplies
- First-aid items
- Candles and flashlights and batteries
- Clean-up supplies such as work gloves, trash bags and protective eyewear
- Financial donations are also accepted
For more information about Matthew 25 Ministries and relief efforts, please click here. For those interested in making a financial donation, please click here.
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Matthew 25 Ministries
2. Operation Blessing
Operation Blessing is another disaster relief ministry. They presently have a base of operation in Valdosta, Georgia, and teams are working to provide relief to people in that area. Valdosta is just across the border from Florida. Operation Blessing also has teams volunteering near Asheville, North Carolina. Additional teams will be dispatched to various areas impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the near future. For more information about disaster relief efforts, please click here. For more information about volunteering, please click here. If you would like to donate financially, please click here.
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Greta High
3. Samaritan's Purse
Samaritan's Purse is a disaster response ministry connected to Franklin Graham Ministry. They currently have teams in various locations in North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Some of the work being done includes tree work, mudding out homes, removing debris, and tarping roofs. As a larger ministry, Samaritan's Purse has also been coordinating supply delivery efforts via airlifts where roads and bridges have been washed out. In addition, they use their own helicopter to fly supplies to areas inaccessible by ground vehicles. They will be deploying additional teams in the near future. For more information about volunteering, click here. For those who would like to provide a financial donation for these efforts, please click here.
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Samaritan’s Purse
4. Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a Christian construction organization that also provides relief efforts. In this particular situation, their focus will be long-term recovery efforts, though some immediate response will also occur. Their website notes, "Long-term recovery is among the greatest challenges in disaster response and recovery, particularly as communities work to ensure the lower-income populations that Habitat serves are not left behind." To learn about volunteer opportunities, please click here. To learn about donating, please click here.
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Habitat for Humanity
5. First Baptist Church Sulphur, Louisiana
First Baptist Church Sulphur is partnering with God's Warehouse Disaster Response in Morristown, Tennessee. An extensive list of requested items for relief efforts is posted on the church's website. First Baptist Church Pastor Michael Linton told KPLC that they'll be organizing volunteers for relief efforts in the very near future.
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Don Nonnie Owen
6. Adventures in Missions
Adventures in Missions focuses on training churches to respond to future relief efforts, from setting up a rapid response base to cleaning up to construction. They're also willing to visit churches and speak to congregations or missions teams. Additional details are on their website. For those with some skills, there is a waitlist available to join new teams that are being organized to provide relief from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Please click here for details.
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Adventures in Missions
7. Texans on Mission
Texans on Mission is another organization that trains disaster relief volunteers. Its specific areas of focus include removing debris, cleaning out and repairing homes, serving meals, providing spiritual support, and more. Additional details are on its website. It has teams working in Tennessee and North Carolina to clean up after Hurricane Helene. Interested donors can visit www.texansonmission.org.
If you know of any other organizations or ways to help, share HERE on Crosswalk Forums!
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Texans on Mission - TBM
Originally published Thursday, 10 October 2024.
