In response to May’s devastating tornados,
Operation Blessing's Hunger Strike Force has delivered and continues to
deliver loads of disaster relief supplies to victims living in Tennessee
and Missouri !
Everywhere Jim Horn looks, he sees destruction and devastation. However,
the president of OBI partner The Launch Pad is thankful to be alive. During
the first weekend of tornados, a huge twister jumped over his home and
then plowed through 25 residences behind him, demolishing everything in
its path. Not too far away, a congregation made it safely to the church
basement before the building was leveled. Right away Jim got to work and
began assisting his neighbors. Operation Blessing is helping him do just
that!
After unloading the first Hunger Strike Force truck during the morning
of May 7th, The Launch Pad began distributing its load of water and cleaning
supplies to tornado victims living in Pierce, Stockton, Monett, Battlefield
and Aurora. Relief efforts continue as, Jim has received one truckload
of food and a Hunger Strike Force truck will be delivering two loads of
food this week! "Operation Blessing is the only one that has stepped
in to help so far," Jim commented in his car on the way to Battlefield.
"Whatever can be sent, we will put it to good use."
Traveling south, another Hunger Strike Force truck dropped a load of
disaster relief supplies in Jackson, Tennessee on May 6th. While there,
Dwight Lohrenz, Operation Blessing’s disaster relief manager, established
a partnership with West Jackson Baptist Church. Two hours after volunteers
unloaded the truck filled with nonperishable food, diapers, paper products
and men's shaving kits, the Red Cross sent 150 homeless people from a
nearby condemned shelter to the church's gym to sleep! These are just
a few of the displaced men, women and children who will benefit from OBI's
faithful partners.
The relief continues to come into Tennessee. This week Hunger Strike
Force drivers have already dropped off one truckload of cleaning supplies
to the Salvation Army in Chattanooga. Before the week is out, plans are
underway to give them one load of food as well as one delivery of food
to disaster victims in Jackson.
Thousands living across "tornado alley" are trying to salvage
what they can from flattened homes. Entire neighborhoods need to be rebuilt.
There is a lot to be done! With the help of our individual and corporate
partners, Operation Blessing can help families clean out and rebuild their
damaged homes by bringing cleaning supplies and construction materials.
With blankets and food, we can bring warmth to children and their parents
who are now forced to live in shelters. Many more will be without jobs
until their workplace can be rebuilt, causing unexpected financial strain.
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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