Episcopal Relief and Development is providing emergency assistance to families in Atlanta affected by tornadoes that ripped through the city center in mid- March. The storms destroyed numerous buildings, including 70 homes, and severely damaged many other structures, leaving over 250 families looking for temporary shelter.
Together with our partner, the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, Episcopal Relief and Development is providing debit cards to individuals who have lost their homes or whose homes are so damaged they will not be able to return to them for at least three months. The cards will pay for food, clothing and transportation to and from work.
“The help that Episcopal Relief and Development gives to these families makes our work go so much further,” explained Nancy Brockway, Chief Emergency Services Officer for the American Red Cross and a parishioner at St. Anne’s, Atlanta. The Reverend Debbie Shew, Canon for Community Ministries in the Diocese of Atlanta, is mobilizing volunteers for outreach work to other parts of the state impacted by the storms.
“The volunteers made it easy to get people immediate help,” said Canon Debbie Shew. “More importantly, they were able to listen to the troubles and sad stories of those in need. This was a blessing for those hurt by the storms and for the volunteers too,” she continued.
To help people affected by the tornadoes in Atlanta, please make a donation to Episcopal Relief and Development’s “Emergency Relief Fund” online at http://www.er-d.org/ , or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development “Emergency Relief Fund” P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
