Taken from a boat while CRI delivered meals to residents in Lumberton
Somebody Cares continues to assist chapters and partners laboring in Hurricane Matthew relief on the Southeastern Coast of the U.S.
“We are here to serve,” said John Clifton, director of Somebody Cares St. Augustine. “We don’t know what will come from day to day, but we are responding to what God sends us each day–and each day is different.”
“We got an email from one of our local schools,” John said, explaining how SCST was able to purchase non-perishable food items for 17 students to make sure they were able to eat when they’re not in school. “That’s only one school. There are probably similar situations in all 44 of the schools in our district.”
As relief efforts transition from rescue to recovery and rebuilding, new needs will include materials and supplies for repairing damaged homes along with furniture to replace what was ruined.
“This will be going on for months as needs continue to present themselves,” John said. “The greatest need we have is funding to meet these needs as they arise.”
In addition to St. Augustine, Somebody Cares is working with partners to provide hot meals to residents in Beaufort, SC and Lumberton, NC.
“We sent in two truckloads of drinking water to Lumberton for distribution along with 25 water filters,” reports SCA Vice President Jodie Chiricosta. “We are in the process of sending in a truckload of non-perishable foods, hygiene items, cleaning supplies and diapers to Lumberton as well. Our partner in Lumberton, CRI, has also started mudding out and gutting homes that were flooded. It is estimated that the city water will not be turned back on in Lumberton for 2 to 3 weeks.”
Thank you to our partners–Mercury One, CRI, Mercy Chefs, and local churches and ministries–along with each of you who have joined with us in sending prayer and finances.