Hurricane Response
Orphan Grain Train—Michigan
October 24, 2024 Update – Orphan Grain Train—Michigan is presently completing a primary hurricane response. Our most sincere thanks to the many who rapidly joined this undertaking in recent days with heartening material support. The Orphan Grain Train—Michigan warehouse was open daily for two weeks receiving an abundance of relief goods now in transit to the storm ravaged region around Canton, North Carolina.
Enabled by generous financial gifts, Orphan Grain Train—Michigan is also able to secure additional goods to match detailed needs of those distributing relief “on the ground.”
Orphan Grain Train—Michigan continues its regular mission of bringing human care with the Gospel to international and domestic locations where people are in need. Shipments have been made from Michigan to Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Moldova, the Republic of Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Malawi, South Sudan, and Peru. Orphan Grain Train—Michigan has also responded to domestic needs in Appalachia.
Even though further hurricane relief shipments are not explicitly planned at this time, the Michigan branch in Sebewaing remains active in its mercy care. Orphan Grain Train—Michigan is located at 126 E. Main St., in Sebewaing. Information may be obtained from branch manager, Pastor Dave Reed (989) 600-2264 or by email at pastordavereed@gmail.com. A secondary collection site for clothing, quilts, medical items, and regular humanitarian goods is at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 5073 Daly Blvd., Flint.
Florida, Georgia
Congregations across the Florida/Georgia District are cleaning up after Hurricane Helene and now, Milton. Many buildings and homes have been damaged or destroyed, and the needs are significant. Volunteers and donations are needed! Contact Jay Wendland directly if you are willing and able to volunteer.
LCMS Disaster Response
The LCMS is working with Districts, providing support relief and mercy efforts for Helene & Milton victims in the southeastern United States. For more information, click here. Latest video.
North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia
Update – New Items Needed for Hurricane Relief – The Southeastern District continues to see the generous response of people from around the country as folks respond to the many needs in Western North Carolina. As our Hurricane response now shifts into what is called the “recovery phase” our work and needs begin to change. Teams and individual volunteers are arriving from within our Southeastern District and all over the country to help with recovery. They are removing trees and tree debris. They are doing flood clean-up work. They are sorting supplies and sending them where they are needed. To find a list of to ten items and shipping information, click here. To financially support the recovery effort, please click this link: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZJJD/campaign/C-154TR
Tennessee
The Mid-South District has called for prayer and established a Disaster Relief Fund for the day-to-day operations of the District’s disaster relief teams and provide direct support to storm victims for immediate needs such as food and housing. You can give online or give by check. More information can be found at https://mid-southlcms.org/disaster-response-update/.
West Virginia
The Ohio District lists resources that can provide assistance to those who have been affected by a disaster, including contact and donation information.
Become a Trained Christian Volunteer
A disaster may happen anywhere at any time. Are you prepared to respond? Join us at the Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) volunteer training program provided by the LCMS Office of National Mission. This 6-hour program will help you serve as a trained Christian volunteer, focusing on the most important things to remember as you prepare for–or respond to–a disaster in your community or beyond. Become Certified
An unparalleled opportunity stands before us to share Christ by offering Christian care in times of disaster. Christ’s mercy is at the center of LERT training and is the basis for everything we do.
After you complete the LERT training, you will receive your certificate and volunteer certification badge from LCMS Disaster Response and the LCMS Office of National Mission
Latest LCMS Disaster Response Information
For up-to-date information concerning Disaster Response, visit LCMS World Relief and Human Care.
Here is also a Quick Reference Guide for Disasters and Pandemics by the LCMS Disaster Response. (added 5/12/2020)