The Church of the Brethren’s aid and relief response following Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton continues on the denominational, district, and congregational levels. Here are some updates
Staff of Brethren Disaster Ministries continue to work with district leaders to help coordinate response efforts including the collection and distribution of relief materials and donations for emergency funding–especially for the hardest-hit areas in Southeastern District. Another conference call with district leaders is planned for Friday afternoon, Oct. 11. Brethren Disaster Ministries urges church members
Church World Service (CWS) is sharing updated kit distribution numbers and information about relief efforts following on the recent hurricanes. To date, CWS has coordinated the shipment of 4,372 Clean-Up Buckets, 8,720 Hygiene Kits, 5,890 blankets, 1,205 Menstrual Hygiene Kits, 590 School Kits, and 72 Welcome Backpacks to partners in Florida and North Carolina (a
In April there is a meat canning project that brings volunteers together in Pennsylvania. The Church of the Brethren receives part of the finished product. Our Material Resources staff recently shipped three pallets, or nearly 7,000 pounds of the canned meat, to California, destined for Mexico.
The collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore, Md., was such a shock and very emotional for the staff of the Material Resources program of the Church of the Brethren. The loss of lives and loss of a critical bridge were on our minds. Now, almost three weeks later, alternate plans are being explored for shipments of relief goods from our warehouse facilities at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
The Mission and Ministry Board has decided to close the Church of the Brethren’s Material Resources program based at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The decision made on Oct. 21, during the board’s fall 2023 meetings, is to wind down the program over a period of up to 30 months. Brethren Disaster Ministries and Children’s Disaster Services are not affected.
Material Resources staff at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., have been very busy with a number of recent shipments of relief goods
Winni (Sara) Wanionek has resigned from her fulltime position with the Church of the Brethren’s Material Resources program based at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., effective May 31.
Church of the Brethren ministries are assisting survivors of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona through shipments by Material Resources, Children’s Disaster Services teams in Florida, and acts of love and compassion in Puerto Rico.
Hurricane Ian caused catastrophic damage along Florida’s southwest coast on Sept. 28 when it made landfall near Fort Myers. More than a week later, first responders are still out searching the hardest hit neighborhoods for survivors. With the death toll over 100, this storm is one of the deadliest in the state’s history. The level of damage has impeded relief and response efforts as volunteers come to help. Shelter and rental cars are scarce in the state, with many volunteers driving over two hours to get to the damage zone each day.
