I have inquired of the Circular Church in Charleston, South Carolina as to whether they are aware of any funds similar in nature to the Waterbury Good Neighbor Fund, for those who might want to as directly as possible to people in need of assistance.
The minister of that church, The Rev. Dr. Jeremy Rutledge has a good friend who is the pastor of a church in Durham, NC (Watts Street Church). As their administrator informed me, “Since their folks have different interests and opinions, making it a challenge to focus on one thing, their church sent an email out to the congregation detailing ways to help.”
Except for the American Red Cross and Church World Service, the other funds are local. I’ve republished their newsletter below.
But you might also want to take a look at Chef World Kitchen. It’s an interesting organization with a decidedly compassionate and person to person approach. https://www.worldcentralkitchen.org/
Watts Street Baptist Church Newsletter
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Hurricane Florence response opportunites
There are many compassionate ways to respond and we wanted to share a few of them with you:
EASTERN NC SOLIDARITY- A JUST FLORENCE RECOVERY
A coalition of grassroots organizations, including the Poor People’s Campaign and the Southern Vision Alliance, are working closely with local communities to organize drives for requested goods and donations. Information on how to volunteer time and donate specific goods or money can be found here. Please note that goods are requested for drop off this week in Durham.
More information and some valuable resources about self-determination of communities most impacted and the ongoing struggle against environmental racism can be found here: https://anothergulf.com/a-just-florence-recovery/
THE DIAPER BANK OF NC
The Diaper Bank, a Watts Street mission partner founded by Michelle Old, is the only relief organization providing diapers for families during the crisis. The Diaper Bank partners with state emergency services to fill this gap. To find out how you can donate money, diapers, or personal hygiene items, visit Diaper Bank of NC
FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN NC
A simple donation form to provide food, water, and cleaning supplies to our neighbors in need: Food Bank
CHURCH WORLD SERVICE
CWS, the organization Watts Street supports with the Durham CROP Walk each year, provides a lot of services following natural disasters. To learn about CWS hygiene kits, blankets, and emergency clean-up buckets or their focus on refugee and immigrant communities, visit Church World Service
AMERICAN RED CROSS
The American Red Cross provides emergency shelter, mass feedings, and other forms of support during a crisis. Donate at American Red Cross or contact Watts Street member, Kirsten Kruhm (Kirsten.kruhm@redcross.org) for specific volunteer opportunities.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN WILMINGTON
First Baptist Church in Wilmington is operating as a headquarters for a lot of relief work in the Wilmington area. Click here to donate or learn more: First Baptist Church, Wilmington
NC BAPTISTS ON MISSION DISASTER RELIEF
NC Baptists on Mission (formally known as NC Baptist Men) provides hot meals and waves of clean-up crews and home repair teams. They are exceptionally organized and committed to staying months/years until people are back in their homes. A team of WSBC senior high youth and adults worked with them in Warsaw, NC in 2016 following Hurricane Matthew. Click here to donate: NC Baptists on Mission Disaster Relief or contact Kelly Sasser at kelly@wattsstreet.org if you have interest in being a part of a volunteer work team this fall.
Thank you for your prayers and anything you can do, big or small, to offer support to our neighbors in this time of tremendous need.
Grace and Peace!
The Coastal Community Foundation (launched a Mayor’s Fund on Tuesday and also had links to their counterparts in NC. I made a personal donation and was able to designate geography, by county, and for disaster relief orgs. Their website is http://www.coastalcommunityfoundation.org.
