OBI Distributions Easing Suffering of Katrina Victims
OBI president Bill Horan unloaded relief supplies in preparation to help hurricane victims in MS on Thursday.
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A line of cars snaked down one of Slidell, Louisiana’s main streets, inching rhythmically forward every few minutes, with a slam of a closing trunk and repeated calls of “Thank you” echoing from inside.
Residents of this town nestled on Lake Ponchaitrain’s banks are feeling the impact of Operation Blessing’s ongoing hurricane relief efforts, as an ice, water and canned food were distributed at the site of their new mobile kitchen.
Operation Blessing relief staff loaded car after car with bulk bags of ice and cases of water as well as canned goods, diapers, formula and other essentials – all of which were donated by OBI partners.
Teaming up with other relief agencies and local governments and churches has been an integral part of Operation Blessing’s efforts along the Gulf Coast. And new groups and individuals wanting to lend a hand join the OBI team daily. In the midst of the Slidell distribution, members of an Arizona church rolled into the parking area in a U-Haul stocked with 20,000 bottles of water. Once they found out about OBI’s activities, they began unloading their relief cargo for immediate distribution, becoming a partner in relieving the suffering of hurricane victims.
“We’ve always been the kind of community to be the first to help others,” said one local resident. “So now that we’re the ones needing help, it’s made all the difference in the world to have folks like you here.”
Some recipients at the OBI site had water and food already, but every single car left with bags of ice. In the sweltering heat of summer, ice is a desperately-needed commodity for hurricane victims. Tens of thousands in Slidell and across the Gulf Coast remain without electricity, a situation likely to continue for many for weeks to come.
“This is such a blessing,” said Lilly, another Slidell resident. “Without a roof off half my house and no power, we’ve needed this ice and need all the water we can get. Thank you so much.”
How You Can Help
You can take part in Operation
Blessing's ongoing disaster response efforts by
making an online
donation to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
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