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OUR EYES ARE OPENED TO A NEED
This project started when one of our members read about the ongoing need by those effected by hurricane Katrina. Many of us think that at least the victims basic needs are being meet by government and relief agencies. Unfortunately, the basic needs for food and supplies are not being met.
THE NEED
The need for general supplies and food items for residents affected by Katrina is expected to continue for several years in the hardest hit areas. While the response for help initially was tremendous, the semi-trailer trucks have stopped arriving and the receipt of supplies has reduced to a trickle. One of the distribution centers, Christus Victor Disaster Response, reports that they are experiencing daily shortages. Their volunteer workers are processing 150 to 200 families a day, six days a week. The Christus Victor Disaster Response has been able to help close to one thousand families a week. The distribution center has been told to anticipate the demand for food and supplies from the Distribution Center to continue for several years.
Over 29,000 families, more than 25% of the Mississippi Coast's population, live in FEMA trailers. Ten thousand of the trailers are in Jackson County, where Christus Victor is located. As of a month ago, another third of the coast residents remain off the coast, as there is no place for them to live. Economic activity has stagnated, tax revenues are unpredictable, and unemployment is high. The recovery on the Mississippi gulf coast is going to take a long, long time.
OUR RESPONSE
The concerned church member brought this issue to the attention of a recently formed group of concerned Bower Hill members that wanted to work to alleviate hunger. The group read that the Christus Victor disaster relief team's hope is that fifty-two churches would commit to sending one semi-trailer full of food and supplies during the next twelve months (one semi for each week). While our church can’t commit to filling this need alone, we believe with the help of the entire community that we can fulfill this need. Bower Hill Community Church will be organizing the logistics of obtaining transportation and the collection of food and supplies. Our goal is to have the truck on the road by June 6 which is Hunger Awareness Day in the United States. This project is part of an ongoing effort in our church to deal with the hunger issue.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by bringing food to the Bower Hill Community Church on Tuesday May 30 - Friday June 2 from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm and Saturday June 3 from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm. Any non perishable food items will be appreciated.
Suggested items are: cans of fruit, meat, beans, vegetables or soup, jars of jelly, jugs of juice, boxes of liquid milk, bags of rice, boxed meals, pasta, mac and cheese, cereal, oatmeal, breakfast bars.
Donations can be dropped off at Bower Hill Community Church, 70 Moffet St, Mt. Lebanon, 15243. Moffet Street is off Bower Hill Road. Signs will be posted at the church to direct you to the drop off point. If you prefer making a monetary donation, please send a check to the church made out to Bower Hill Community Church with The Hunger Project in the memo line.
Directions to Bower Hill
For more information, call 412-561-4114.
A HUGE THANK YOU
to the following commercial businesses that helped in this effort.
Penske Truck Rentals - drastically reduced price on truck rental
AN EQUALLY HUGE THANK YOU
to the all the organizations (schools, clubs) and volunteers who collected, packed, donated, etc.
June 4 - Hunger Sunday - Worship Service
Join us for worship at 9:30 am where we will dedicate the food and commission the drivers.
More information on Hunger Sunday Service
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