OBI’s mobile kitchen serves hot meals to families affected by recent flooding in Tennessee.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. – When Michael and Linda’s neighbor came running over to tell them their house was about to flood, the couple scrambled to grab a few belongings.

They left the house only a few minutes later, holding tightly to a dry change of clothes as they waded through waist-deep water. By the time the rains ceased and the floodwaters began to recede, Michael and Linda’s small house had been completely flooded.

“We lost everything we had,” Michael said. And without food to eat or a kitchen to cook in, they were hungry.

Operation Blessing staff met the couple when they came to a local church where OBI was serving hot meals to affected residents. They have been married for nearly 30 years, and Michael has suffered 2 strokes and a heart attack, so now Linda works to provide an income for them.

OBI relief worker Clifton Wright prepares food for flood victims in the Nashville area.

The couple is used to working hard and helping others, more than receiving help themselves. “It’s strange to ask for help,” Linda said, “but it’s wonderful to eat hot meals. I really do appreciate it. OB is a lifesaver.”

“In a disaster, people lose basically everything. Their homes are flooded, people lose food, and they have nowhere to go,” said OBI’s food manager Clifton Wright. “We like to just show up on the spot and say, ‘We have a hot meal for you, a hug and a smile…. and hopefully things will be better for you tomorrow, and we’ll be here as long as you need us here.’ ”

In addition to handing out hot meals, Operation Blessing has shipped more than 40,000 lbs of relief supplies into the Nashville area following the flooding. The supplies included food, water, and MREs (meals-ready-to-eat), which were distributed to affected residents.
Teams have also begun clean-up and recovery efforts for affected families, with a focus on helping those who are elderly, uninsured and have special needs.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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