Disasters like hurricanes and storms seem to be disturbingly normalized. Since 2017, I have been part of disaster recovery either through the National Guard or ARM. Many of you reading this have also responded. It is exhausting both physically, mentally and spiritually although we do enjoy going to help. Don’t we all like knowing we can be part of someone’s restoration even if that response seems small?
Last Saturday (and this weekend), a few of us from ARM and our local church traveled to Alabama’s Gulf Coast helping tarp roofs, remove tree debris and “muck out” homes. Mucking out means helping remove water-damaged drywall and items from a home for it to dry out and be disinfected before replacing drywall, flooring and lost appliances.
We met some awesome families and worked closely with Kim and her daughter who were frantically packing up a trailer to take their remaining household items to a storage container. A company was coming to “shock” the house to kill and prevent mold from growing. Furthermore, Kim was dealing with a leaking tire and trying to keep it aired in the middle of the chaos. (One was on order but not due to arrive till Monday). Kim’s insurance carrier is not going to cover all her damages due to not having an additional clause in her flood insurance for loss of content. Thousands of families, so far there are over 35,000 claims to FEMA for damage, are finding themselves underinsured. We found a similar situation with her neighbors who are retired.
Do you want to know how poverty gets a foothold, especially with single-parent families, seniors, and other vulnerable members of our communities? Storms, fires, and disasters. Sometimes households are one flat tire away from the tipping point that creates financial devastation. The tipping point is known as situational poverty where an event triggers the financial loss. It could be a divorce, a death, or a disaster. It becomes generational poverty if passed on to children and grandchildren, three generations.
So, what can we do? How can we be part of the restoration? How can we reflect Christ’s love? Below are three simple ways:
1) Give: The fastest and easiest way is to give a financial gift and continue with a heart of generosity. Most mainstream denominations have a disaster network like the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Mennonite Disaster Services, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, and Catholic Charities. The United Way is another outlet. These financial resources are converted into gift cards, materials and much more to directly help households.
2) Go: When there is a request for volunteer help and you can work with a local group coordinating the recovery efforts, go and participate. Help your church or organization organize a team that can help with debris removal and cleaning out homes. A person affected needs to share their story and have someone listen with compassion. There are multiple ways you can help no matter what your skill level. These recovery efforts will also need volunteer groups to help rebuild and renovate.
3) Gather: Sometimes there is a call for specific supplies. You can work with others to gather these and help get them to the needed area. You will find these lists on the Emergency Management websites or Facebook pages of the Counties affected, i.e. Baldwin County EMA website. For this disaster, a search for “Hurricane Sally Resources” pulls up a significant amount of information.
You can be a part of recovery in big and small ways. Furthermore, you help stop poverty from gaining a foothold to the most vulnerable populations. Your consideration, care and compassion translate into a person recovering from these disasters knowing they are seen and not alone.
Please keep all of the storm, fire and other disasters in your continued thoughts and prayers!
The No More Shacks Campaign begins in two weeks! (See shack video). Giving helps us restore homes and strengthen families! You can also become an individual fundraiser with us! Your gift helps us raise $145,000 and repair a home such as Mr. Harrington’s who we will tell you about next week!
Grace and peace-lisa
Auburn UMC working with Mr. David who gives a thumbs up.
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