Lutheran Disaster Response receives $1.9 million from the Red Cross

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
received a $1.9 million grant from the American Red Cross to support the
ELCA’s commitment in meeting the needs of thousands of people who
continue to rebuild their homes and lives following Hurricane Sandy,
which struck the U.S. east coast nearly 10 months ago.
According to the Rev. Michael Stadie, the grant will enable the ELCA
to extend its partnership with Lutheran social service affiliates, which
provides assistance to survivors of a natural disaster with home
construction and the purchasing of materials, social service support,
case management and more.
As a result “countless of lives will be positively impacted,” said
Stadie, program director for the ELCA’s Lutheran Disaster Response U.S.
In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused widespread destruction as it
made its way from the Caribbean along the east coast of the United
States. The storm left thousands of people homeless and millions without
power for several weeks. In response, ELCA members contributed about $3
million towards U.S. relief efforts.
“We’ve already invested a significant amount of these funds,” said
Stadie, adding that the grant from the Red Cross will enable the ELCA to
further its long-term disaster response plan “even longer, particularly
among people experiencing a more challenging recovery.”
Through Lutheran Disaster Response, initial grant allocations will
be made to Lutheran Social Services of New York, Lutheran Social
Ministries of New Jersey and Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries based in
Maryland. While New York and New Jersey were greatly impacted, the storm
also caused significant damage in parts of Maryland.
“By providing substantial funding for the unmet needs of New Jersey
residents impacted by Sandy, this grant allows Lutheran Social Ministries
of New Jersey to significantly expand its long-term disaster recovery
efforts,” said Lisa Barnes, director of community partnering and advocacy
and disaster response coordinator for Lutheran Social Ministries of New
Jersey.
“This financial allocation from the Red Cross will provide
additional support for ongoing efforts such as volunteer management,
including housing and feeding volunteers, and funding of at least four
Camp Noah programs in New Jersey to help our children cope with the
storm's aftermath,” she said.
Lutheran Disaster Response provides spiritual care and assistance to
survivors of natural disasters and humanitarian crises throughout the
world in coordination with local affiliates, organizations and Lutheran
companion churches.