ELCA Responds to Winter Storms and Flooding

ELCA RESPONDS TO WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has responded to the
tragic winter storms in the upper Midwestern and Pacific Western
states.  ELCA Domestic Disaster Response provided about $20,000
in emergency assistance through social ministry organizations in
Minnesota, North and South Dakota, northern California,
Washington, Oregon and Idaho.  "Isolation of many small towns and
rural communities in the upper Midwest states caused severe
shortages in food pantries.  Buildings and corrals have collapsed
under the weight of snow, and in some areas there is no dry land.
Cattle loss is placed at 100,000 and more are buried under the
snow, which will not only cause pollution problems but add to the
financial, emotional and mental loss for farmers and ranchers,"
reported the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, associate director, ELCA
Domestic Disaster Response.  Personal and financial counseling
services are being established through Lutheran social ministry
organizations in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, many of them
deployed to the rural areas, said Furst.  Massive rains in
northern California, Nevada and Idaho flooded businesses,
thousands of homes and tens of thousands of acres of farmland.
Social ministry agencies in Washington, Oregon and northern
California have provided emergency disaster funds to meet
immediate needs of people.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html