The Somebody Cares Holy Smoke grill team–working with relief partners CRI and Strike–has now served over 15,500 hot meals to the residents of Sulphur, Louisiana, who are recovering from Hurricane Laura. Over 2,500 families have also received cleaning supplies, water, food, diapers, and more. 
On Saturday, September 12, even in the midst of torrential downpours, 800 meals were served and 150 cars came through the distribution line for supplies. On Sunday, 1800 meals were served and 350 cars were loaded up with supplies, many of them picking up materials for multiple families.
Lunch normally runs from 12-1:30pm but was extended until 4:30pm that day because of the great need. Each day, cars are lined up on the road leading to Celebration Worship Center, our site for hot meals and distribution, before serving begins.
“There’s such a need for a hot meal right now,” explains Mark Roye, “because restaurants are still not open and there is still no power.”
Thanks to generous donations, we were able to donate $800 in gift cards to Celebration Worship Center to give to families in need. SCA also donated chain saws for crews in Sulphur working with tree removal and delivered supplies to Lake Charles for a “pop-up” distribution at Living Word Christian Center, where relief partners Harvest for Lost Souls and Starlight Ministries have been serving.
In Newton County, Texas, power has returned but our SC Jasper Newton chapter continues to help with removing debris and tarping roofs. One older couple had evacuated and learned that a huge tree fell across their driveway and their roof was damaged with shingles missing. They have not been able to return yet as the husband had a serious stroke four months prior to Hurricane Laura and now needs care. SCA donated tarps to cover the roof and a generator to keep her freezer and refrigerator running. She is so thankful that others could help with her home while she is away.
With Tropical Storm/Hurricane Sally threatening the Gulf Coast, needs in the region are expected to grow. The Somebody Cares network of ministry partners is also responding to wildfires in the West. Your giving today can help us continue providing help and meeting needs:
- $500 can help transport a truckload of relief supplies to impacted communities
- $400 can provide a generator to a senior
- $250 can aid 10 families with gift cards to purchase gas, medicine, diapers, or other essentials
- $125 can fuel a generator for a week
- $45 can supply a tarp for someone’s roof
- $30 can provide 10 hot meals to residents and responders
There is also a great need for volunteers. To serve or to bring a team, contact [email protected].
We thank each of our partners and each person who has donated toward these efforts, with special thanks to: Midwest Food Bank; Mercury One; Crisis Response International; Ally Force; BloodNFire Muncie; Kiolbasa Meats; Holy Smoke BBQ; Hands In Service; Resurrection Life Ministries; Texas Business Theatre; Harris County Sheriff’s Homeless Division; Kroger’s of Houston; Foursquare Relief; Assemblies of God; PRC Compassion; Starlight Relief; Strike Oil and Gas; our Somebody Cares chapters; churches across the region; and many, many others. Thank you for caring!