On Easter night, tornadoes and severe storms swept across the South, killing 32 people across many states and decimating homes and businesses. At least 15 tornadoes touched down in Georgia alone. An EF-3 tornado with 145 mph winds hit Chattanooga, TN. Additionally, social distancing mandates and financial strains from COVID-19 have made the burden even greater on those who are suffering great loss right now.
The Diocese of the South has created an online Emergency Relief Donation Page to facilitate supporting those who are in need through our local Anglican congregations in hard hit areas. Your monetary gift will be automatically earmarked as a Relief Donation and passed on to Anglican churches as they partner with organizations in their communities.
From Fr. Mitchell Baker, Emmanuel Fellowship Ministries in Cleveland, TN:
“We have dropped off cash donations to the Caring Place. They are the primary food bank for Cleveland. They have already had people there who lost their homes because of the tornado. They have also assisted in finding some of them temporarily housing and hoping they can get them connected back into FEMA.”
From Fr. Jake Stum, Mission Cleveland, TN:
“In Cleveland we have one neighborhood that was significantly impacted which is about a mile from where our church worships. We are primarily serving by taking work crews water and food. We are also working with the Red Cross to ensure people have temporary shelter and food until insurance money arrives.”
From Fr. Jim Murphy, Christ Church, Cashiers, NC:
“While I’m rector of the only ADOTS parish in North Carolina, I live in Seneca, SC where an EF-4 tornado struck on Easter Monday, early in the morning. Approximately 12 square miles of utter devastation was left behind. Power will be out for weeks. Thousands of trees and power lines are destroyed and in the process of being replaced. Hundreds of homes are uninhabitable. Some folks from Christ Anglican, Cashiers, NC are working in Seneca with the Salvation Army to feed folks and others are working with Samaritan’s Purse to clear debris. Please pray for the people of Seneca.”