Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 9-1-17

Features
Local Organizations Prepare To Help Hurricane Victims
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last Friday night, Hurri- cane Harvey slammed into the coast of Texas as a Cate- gory 4 storm. As predicted, the slow-moving storm dumped more than 40 inches of rain on the state.
In addition to the rain generated by the hurricane, the residents in Texas were also forced to deal with the storm surge from the Gulf of Mexico. Five days after the storm hit, rescue missions remain underway and the death toll climbs.
Downgraded to a tropical storm, Harvey continues to be slow-moving as its rain soaks Louisiana residents.
Meanwhile people around the country are at- tempting to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey. The hurricane is the strongest to hit the United States in more than a decade.
PASTOR MOSES BROWN ... Feed Our Children Ministries, Inc.
Pastor Moses Brown,
of Feed Our Children Min- istries, Inc., traveled to Louisiana in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit. At that time, there was a desig- nated staging area where people could visit to receive help. We were able to take truckloads of items.
“But, this storm is un- precedented. It is a little dif- ferent, the way it impacted
the land, and then how it be- came stationary over the land. It hit land, went back into the water, and then hit Texas. It is slow-moving and rescue efforts are still under- way. Feed Our Children Min- istries and other organizations are joining forces and hope that we can help as soon as possible. We have been communicating with people in Texas and going now would not be ad- vantageous. We have started collecting funds because they can use donations right away.”
Pastor Brown said they will begin to start collecting things such as clothing and other donations, but there are no designated storage areas to take the donations.
“We started taking dona- tions today (Thursday) to help. We are working from the inner-city outward. If they need tangible items, they will let us know. But for now, we are waiting on in- structions from them.
“Our main focus is to help the smaller churches that are trying to help the elderly and single parents with children.”
He further said they do have prayer teams working with them as well.
Anyone wishing to make donations can visit the web- site at www.feedourchild ren.org.
Church, Pastor Spearheading Hurricane Harvey Relief Effort
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Greater Bethel Mission- ary Baptist Church, 1209 N. Jefferson St., Tampa (33602), Rev. Dr. Brett Snowden, Pastor, has part- nered with a global disaster relief ministry to assist resi- dents of Texas and Louisiana.
On Wednesday, Rev. Dr. Snowden said the church has partnered with Lott Carey, a global Disaster Pre- paredness Response Min- istry.
The Lott Carey move- ment was founded in 1897 by African-American Baptists, who were committed to a substantial international missions thrust – especially on the African continent. They believed that nothing should distract the church from executing its primary objective of advancing God’s mission throughout the world.
“Major water disasters have disrupted and de- stroyed lives and liveli- hoods,” Dr. Snowden said.
Hurricane Harvey is forc- ing 30,000 people to leave their homes. Storms in the region may have produced more than 50 inches of rain. Almost 90,000 people have gone without power.
“We want to touch lives with transforming love dur- ing this season of death and dislocation,” Dr. Snowden said.
The pastor is inviting the community to join him and Greater Bethel to collect sup-
REV. DR. BRETT SNOWDEN ...Pastor, Greater Bethel M. B. Church
plies for those who have been displaced.
The immediate needs are: water, baby items (diapers/Pampers, wash cloths, wipes onesies, cloth- ing, blankets, bottles), toi- letries (feminine products, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, wash cloths, shaving cream, combs, brushes, razors, tow- els), and clothing items (new and/or gently used) for males and females of all ages, socks, shoes, sneakers.
Starting on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, Greater Bethel will re- ceive supplies daily be- tween the hours of 10 a. m. and 4 p. m.
“The present and growing needs in Texas and Louisiana will require prayer and participation and sus- tained attention. They need our action and advocacy to ensure, as much as possible, that none go without. Thank you for your ministry of compassion,” he concluded.
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