Episcopal Relief and Development is aiding residents in the town of Ogallala in the Diocese of Nebraska. A thunderstorm cell dropped over 10 inches of rain on the area in a matter of hours on July 6.

"Many of the low-income individuals who are seeking assistance lived in one of the three trailer parks that were wiped out," says the Rev. Mary Lou Reynolds. Reynolds is Chairman of the Family Assistance Committee for the Long Term Assistance Coalition, a group of local churches and community service agencies.

"The grant [from Episcopal Relief and Development] is enabling us to do our job," says Reynolds. ERD awarded a $25,000 emergency grant to the Diocese of Nebraska. "It was the first and is the largest grant to come in."

The funds are providing help with moving expenses, home repairs, clothes, and other emergency services. Disbursements are being made on a case-by-case basis.