Disaster Response
Haiti Earthquake Relief
ELCA Disaster Relief Donate Now or Thrivent Million Dollar Challenge Donate Now
The Situation:
On January 12 at 4:53 p.m., a magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocked the island country of Haiti, primarily impacting its capital of Port-au-Prince and its nearly two million residents. It is believed that over three million citizens of Haitis are effected. The epicenter of the quake was centered approximately 10 miles west of Port-au-Prince. Offices, hotels, houses and shops have collapsed. Over 30 aftershocks ranging from 4.2 to 5.9 have already been recorded.
The city is without electricity and the telephone network has been overloaded with calls making it impossible to reach friends and family.
The presidential palace is in ruins and many churches have been destroyed. Hospitals that were not directly impacted by the quake are overflowing and the search for survivors is intense. Already one of the poorest countries in the world, this catastrophe will exacerbate the suffering felt by many already living with hunger and poverty.
ELCA Response:
The ELCA, through the Lutheran World Federation, is already responding to the critical needs of survivors in Haiti.Thankfully, the LWF offices and staff on the island were spared in the earthquake, making it possible for work to begin immediately. Staff there will focus their immediate efforts on issues of water safety and sanitation, assisting with medical triage, and providing emergency sheltering for the many who are now homeless. The ELCA has long-standing relationships in Haiti through several organizations and the Lutheran Church in Haiti.
In anticipation of your generous gifts, ELCA Disaster Response has authorized $250,000 for immediate relief assistance in Haiti, with the possibility for an additional $500,000 as the full scope of this disaster continues to become clear. Your gifts are needed now to make this type of rapid response possible.
While volunteers, especially skilled workers, will likely be needed in the coming months, the situation on the ground is still far too chaotic – no water, no power, few roads, and very limited communication – to support volunteers traveling to the area in the immediate days.
What you can do:
Please hold the people of Haiti and those who are responding to the disaster in your prayers.
Donations to the relief efforts can be made through the ELCA Disaster Relief program.
THRIVENT MILLION DOLLAR CHALLENGE:
If you are a Thrivent member, Thrivent will add $1 to every $2 donated through the Helping Haiti: A Million Dollar Challenge. Members can donate to any of the following organizations: Lutheran World Relief, ELCA Disaster Response.LCMS World Relief/Human Care and WELS Committee on Relief. Thrivent Financial will add a maximum of $250 per member donation. Donations will be accepted through March 31, 2010.
Mission Opportunities
Our Savior's supports a wide variety of social ministry opportunities throughout the year including:
- Central Missouri Food Bank: The Central Missouri Food Bank (CMFB) is a regional disaster and hunger relief network that acquires and distributes millions of pounds of donated food annually. CMFB distributes food to people in need through a network of 145 agencies in 32 Missouri counties. CMFB provides free food to soup kitchens, emergency food pantries, shelters for the abused and homeless, programs for low income children and senior citizens, and rehabilitation centers.
- ELCA World Hunger Appeal: ELCA World Hunger is a comprehensive and sustainable program that uses a variety of ways to address the root causes of hunger and poverty.
- Riverside Habitat for Humanity: Several times a year, Our Savior's members and friends gather to work on a Habitat for Humanity house located here in Jefferson City.
- Samaritan Center: An interfaith agency meeting emergency needs of mid-Missouri's low-income families. Services include a food pantry, free medical and dental clinic, utility and rental assistance. Currently, Our Savior's is involved with Christmas Adopt-a-Family, Diaper Drive, Financial Support Drive, Food Drive and as a Pantry Service volunteer.
- Souper Bowl of Caring: This organization equips and mobilizes congregations, schools and businesses to positively impact their communities by collecting money or food on or near Super Bowl weekend. 100% of the collections are donated directly to the charity of each group's choice. Typically, donations from Our Savior's go to the Central Missouri Food Bank and the Samaritan Center.
