Samaritan’s Purse is deploying to help hard-hit communities in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee. We are establishing four bases of operations in the wake of a major winter storm that swept from Texas and Oklahoma to New England over the past few days.
Three Disaster Response Units (DRU)—tractor-trailers packed with relief supplies and equipment—will be heading to the region. One will go to the north central town of Oxford, Mississippi, and another to Corinth, a community in the state’s northeastern corner. A third DRU will go to West Monroe, Louisiana. There’s also a sub-base in Adamsville, Tennessee, where day volunteers will serve the McNairy and Hardin county areas of the Volunteer State.
“This huge winter storm has left families battling incredible ice accumulation in bitterly cold temperatures,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Our hearts break for those who have lost loved ones. As the ice begins to thaw, many are left with downed trees and wondering what they will do. That’s why we want to come alongside families to help them clean up and remind them that God loves them, and they are not alone.”
This response will span multiple counties and parishes across three states. These include the Mississippi counties of Lafayette, Alcon, Tippah, and Tishomingo; McNairy and Hardin counties in Tennessee; and Louisiana’s Ouachita and Richland parishes.
Volunteers will begin at all three sites on Friday afternoon. Go to spvolunteer.org to find out more.
Teams will serve homeowners in Jesus’ Name, helping them to remove fallen trees and other debris from their properties. Volunteers will also have opportunities to share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to encourage struggling families.
Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains will also be on hand at all locations to minister to homeowners, providing them with emotional support and spiritual encouragement.
This winter storm ushered in a dangerous mix of ice, sleet, snow, and extreme cold. Parts of the Southeast got hit hardest. At one point, more than 1 million U.S. residents were without power.
Please pray for families who are still suffering and for local churches as they minister to those in need. Pray also for our teams as they prepare to travel to these communities.
