Disaster Response Information

Information about how can you or your congregation assist in disaster recovery, rebuilding and response following Hurricane Matthew….

DO NOT DONATE CLOTHING
(Thank you for thinking of people but clothing is not needed at this time.)

Printable flyer for use in Congregations and Session Meetings
(this flyer was distributed at the Presbytery meeting)

FEMA Information

Any individual who has suffered loss or damages due to Hurricane Matthew is encouraged to register with FEMA for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov , by downloading the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), the number is also 1-800-621-3362. For people using TTY, the number is 1-800-462-7585. These toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Operators are standing by to assist individuals in multiple languages. The registration deadline is December 9, 2016. There are several assistance programs available for the under insured, displaced persons, and more. If in doubt, please register.

Opportunities for Volunteers

Please use www.CrisisCleanUp.org to register your work group and find ongoing work sites where your particular skills are needed and welcome.  This site helps you track volunteer hours and coordinate with other groups so that any particular site is not overloaded while another goes neglected.

Almost half of the Habitat for Humanity homes in Fayetteville were severely damaged by Hurricane Matthew’s floods Saturday. Of 154 homes built by the organization, 95 were affected and 66 are in “desperate need.” Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity said it needs donations and volunteers to help the homeowners rebuild. Contact Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
P. O. Box 3166 • 310 Green Street Fayetteville, NC 28302  (910) 483-0952  office@fayettevillenchabitat.org As of 10/26 more volunteers are still needed for this work with the Habitat Homes.

Many groups are needing additional “walk-in” volunteers. Please go to NCVOAD (ncvoad.org) website to learn of opportunities.
https://www.ncvoad.org/cms/opportunities#ob

Groups are calling Presbytery staff saying, “We want to send a work group on dates A to B, what church might host us for that week?” If your church is willing to host a group in a needed recovery area, please let Laura Lupton or Bill Reinhold know, we will put groups in touch with you directly.  Groups could also be hosted in a vacant rental home or similar situation.

Long term recovery needs will grow over time and more opportunities will be announced and posted here and please go to NCVOAD Site listed below.

Supplies – Materials Donations

Most helpful are gift cards and financial support. This helps the local economy and people can purchase the exact items they need for recovery.

Urgent need in Lumberton and other hard hit areas for

  • Baby wipes, Baby food, Diapers and formula
  • tooth brushes, tooth paste
  • Water and Gatorade type beverages,
  • Non-perishable food, Ready to eat meals
  • Laundry pods
  • Clean up buckets (Kits of the Heart) are in urgent demand.The “ingredients” are here: pda.pcusa.org/page/kits/ andcwskits.org/assemble-kits/emergency-cleanup-buckets/ has a handy shopping list to print out… and options on delivery/drop off.

CAUTION: Please only collect items that you KNOW ARE NEEDED (Ask) and for which you have a destination to receive the items collected. Do not just collect items that you assume are needed, call and ask first. Do not just drive somewhere and assume there will be a drop of point.

Shelter space is needed in the Robeson County Region. Apartments for rent, guest houses, etc.

Warehouse space is needed to receive deliveries of food and water and other supplies. BUT THIS IS A HUGE undertaking and not for the faint of heart. If you know of space, we may be able to locate people to manage it.

NOTE: Used Clothing donations CLOG the system, require huge amounts of storage space, ofen arrive dirty or with infestations and are not helpful except for New socks and New Underwear and diapers.

Urgent need to restock the Clean Up Buckets – this is a great congregational project:

CleanUpBucketFullLearn how to make clean up buckets at pda.pcusa.org/page/kits/

Financial Donations are needed for use in the region through these recipients:

  • Presbytery of Coastal Carolina, 807 W King Street, Elizabethtown, NC 28337 “Disaster Relief” call the office to use credit cards for donations 910-862-8300 Funds donated to Presbytery will be distributed to churches offering aid and churches that are rebuilding.
    Churches simply need to contact Gayle to request funds.
  • Presbyterian Disaster Assistance welcomes donations online at
    presbyterianmission.org/ministries/compassion-peace-justice/pda/
  • Church World Service online donations at cwsglobal.org
For Information about regional responses from all aid groups
  • ncvoad.org this website will tell you “who is doing what where”…. they also have a daily coordinating Conference Call to enable groups to speak to each other about needs, donations, drop off sites, volunteer opportunities, etc.
  • nc211.org United Way’s 211 helps individuals find help
  • Dial 211 from any phone if you do not have internet.

Communication/Coordination:

Please report/share needs, available volunteers, and available material donations to these contact persons for coordination and assistance:

News From Haiti:

The heart of Haiti beats strong following Hurricane Matthew

 Pastoral Prayers:

Pastoral prayer in storm and exile – Hurricane Matthew   pres-outlook.org/2016/10/pastoral-prayer-storm-exile-hurricane-matthew/

Call to prayer in the wake of Hurricane Matthew 
pda.pcusa.org/pda/resource/prayer-hurricane-matthew/

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To add to this list or update information, please send complete details to LauraLupton@presbycc.org

Last Updated: 10/31 at 2:00PM

One thought on “Disaster Response Information”

  1. Hi there,

    I am a Youth Pastor living in Virginia and I am interested in seeing what opportunities you have available for Youth group mission trips. We plan to travel July 8th-15th.

    Thank you so much!

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