April 8, 2024

Due to a very rainy several weeks, the Ohio River is currently flooding from Wheeling, WV, through Pomeroy, Ohio.

NALC Disaster Response is delivering emergency relief supplies and flood buckets to Marietta, Belpre, and Pomeroy Ohio and completing assessments.

Volunteers are needed for flood cleanup and donations are needed!

Please send your support to NALC Disaster Response, PO Box 130455, Saint Paul, MN 55113.

Your prayers are especially needed, as this flood was not expected to cause damage and so many communities are impacted.  For more information, contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or [email protected]

March 18, 2024

6 tornadoes in Ohio, 3 fatalities, lots of damage, first of 2 deliveries of emergency relief supplies were delivered yesterday to Indian Lake and our NALC church Grace Lutheran, thank you Pastor Bert! Deliveries from our Indiana warehouse were made to Winchester and Selma IN, thank you Dan Richardson! Going today to Madison IN & Milton KY. Your prayers and help is appreciated

March 15, 2024

Communities from Dallas Texas to Indian Lake Ohio were impacted by a series of storms that produced tornadoes and severe weather across 7 states.  Your prayers and support are needed, as NALC Disaster Response is deploying with emergency relief supplies to our congregations and impacted communities.

February 29, 2024

NALC Disaster Response is responding to the 850,000 acre—or 1,300 square miles—of wildfires blanketing the panhandle of Texas and moving into Oklahoma.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration this week for 60 counties, as the Smokehouse Creek Fire has bome the second largest in Texas history.  Thousands of people were ordered to evacuate. At least one person is dead, in addition to thousands of heads of livestock.

The Smokehouse Creek fire broke out Monday Feb. 26 and NALC Disaster Response is delivering the first load of emergency relief supplies to the town of Borger and Fritch Thursday Feb. 29. The second load is scheduled for Saturday to the town of Canadian TX.  Future loads are in the process of being scheduled.

Monetary donations and gift cards are the priority needs and may be sent to NALC Disaster Response as soon as possible.  Mary Bates has been in touch with each community and has identified the emergency needs, which are quilts (no power to heat homes left standing), school supplies, health kits & baby care items such as diapers for those in shelters, flood buckets/cleaning supplies (to start washing down homes), kitchen kits for those sheltering in hotels, and Bibles.

Future needs will include water hoses, rakes, shovels and gift cards to purchase ranch supplies such as feed cubes, feed, and fencing supplies.  Please help if you possibly can – the high temperatures, the dead winter grass and the high winds combined to create this disaster of wildfires that are impacting so many people.

Please send gift cards to NALC Disaster Response, 16500 Noble Ave. Caldwell, Ohio 43724 and please send monetary donations to:

NALC Disaster Response, PO Box 130455, Saint Paul, MN  55113. 

For more information on the NALC Disaster Response to these wildfires, please contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or [email protected].

February 19, 2023

Larry Vomhof and volunteers from Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Rochester Minnesota recently responded to the tornadoes in Wynne, Arkansas.

If you would like to send a team or go on a missions trip to those in need, please get in touch with Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or email [email protected].

January 19, 2023

The Great Plains Mission District has finally completed their Disaster Response Warehouse!  They currently have 400 quilts, 150 flood buckets, 150 health kits, 150 school kits, and 24 Bibles—but it is still largely empty and they need donations!

Spring is a great time to have a “fill the warehouse” campaign! If your congregation would like to help fill the Great Plains Mission District’s warehouse, please get in touch with Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or email [email protected].

January 17, 2023

NALC Disaster Response is deploying help to Clarksville TN due to the December 11 tornadoes. Our first mission trip of 2024 is scheduled for the week of Jan. 28 in Clarksville, with our Maryland team from River’s Edge Ministries.

NALC Disaster Response also has mission trips scheduled to Wynne, Arkansas, to Perry, Florida for Hurricane Idalia, and to Forest Hill California for 2023 wildfire recovery—in addition to several tentatively scheduled mission trips.

The greatest need for the mission trips are gift cards from Lowe’s and Home Depot and any other building supply stores. If you would like to send support, or host a collection of gift cards, please mail them to:  NALC Disaster Response, 16500 Noble Ave., Caldwell, Ohio  43724.

To join another mission team, or to schedule a mission trip in 2024, contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or [email protected].

To schedule other mission opportunities such as a Stuff the Truck, Disaster Response Sunday, or disaster preparedness training, contact Mary Bates at any time!

December 13, 2023

The Dec 9 outbreak of tornadoes caused damage from Rutherford TN through Clarksville TN, impacting hundreds of homes and killing six people.

Mary Bates is on the ground in Clarksville and has been assessing four counties at this time.  The first load of emergency relief supplies was delivered Tuesday by Mary and her husband.  The second load will be delivered Friday/Saturday.
The most needed items are gift cards from Walmart and other stores to purchase new toys for Christmas for children who have lost everything.

The second most needed item are rakes, shovels, mops and brooms— or gift cards to purchase these items.  The business district of the communities that NALC Disaster Response is working is not as impacted as the residential area.

Thank you for your prayers and support, please send all gift cards to NALC Disaster Response, 16500 Noble Avenue, Caldwell, Ohio 43724. Email Mary Bates for more information on how to help.

December 11, 2023

In the wake of the recent tornadoes in Hendersonville, TN, Resurrection Lutheran Church is actively responding to the urgent needs of the affected community. The devastating impact has claimed six lives and left numerous homes in ruins. The church is currently engaged in the loading and delivery of emergency relief supplies to provide crucial assistance. Those willing to contribute and support the relief efforts are encouraged to reach out to Mary Bates at [email protected] or 740-509-1132. Additionally, the church requests prayers for the affected families, seeking strength, comfort, and resilience during this difficult time. The collective generosity and prayers of the community can make a significant difference in aiding those facing the aftermath of this disaster.

Peace Lutheran Church is loading the 2nd box truck, will be delivered to Clarksville TN, where Mary is partnering with our Anglican friends to serve the families who have lost everything Dec 9, 2022

September 12, 2023

The North American Lutheran Church (NALC), Central Pacific District held its yearly mission trip in July and was recently highlighted in a a local newspaper.

“A mission trip is organized each year to help those who have been impacted by a disaster. In the Central Pacific District, that disaster is identified by fire.

District-area churches span from New Hope in Foresthill, Our Savior in Auburn to Holy Cross in Pacifica, Immanuel in Easton/Fresno with three other churches in between. This year’s participants included 23 youth and adults ranging from 14 to 88 years of age. There was a job for everyone and all found their way to contribute.

This year’s participants included 23 youth and adults ranging from 14 to 88 years of age. There was a job for everyone and all found their way to contribute. The five-day work week included helping victims of the Caldor Fire in Grizzly Flats, the Mosquito Fire in Volcanoville and Michigan Bluff, and improving and helping New Hope with various projects.”

To read the full article, click here.

August 31, 2023

NALC Disaster Response is responding in Perry, Florida, due to Hurricane Idalia that made landfall Aug 30 as a Category 4. Flood buckets, Bibles and other emergency relief supplies are being delivered and volunteers will start Saturday to help with cleanup and debris removal, your prayers and support are needed for the families of Florida.

To support these efforts, donate your gift cards to NALC Disaster Response, 16500 Noble Ave. Caldwell, Ohio  43724. If you’d like to give monetary support, send checks to the NALC Disaster Response, PO Box 860565, Minneapolis, MN  55486

For more information, contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132.

August 23, 2023

On Tuesday Aug. 8, a firestorm fueled in part by fierce winds from the Category 4 Hurricane Dora’s 140 mph winds that triggered raging fires on the island of Maui.  These fires hit the historic town of Lahaina, a popular tourist destination and economic hub. The wildfires also impacted the communities of Kihei and Kula.

As of Tuesday Aug. 22, the death toll form the Maui wildfires has surpassed 114, with over 850 people still unaccounted. Authorities are continuing to search the community by grids and the harbor waters for remains. This is the deadliest United States wildfire in more than 100 years.  3,000+ homes, businesses, schools, government and cultural centers are destroyed.

This wildfire caused more than a loss of homes and land, but a loss of identity, loss of heritage, and a loss of ohana as known there. Everyone on the island of Maui has been affected directly or indirectly by these fires, and all are suffering and mourning their losses.

An estimated 12,000 people are displaced, with people in shelters that will be closing soon, placed in hotels for the next 45 days, or living in their vehicles, tents in the park, on the street, or with family and friends.  With businesses destroyed, there is also a massive loss of jobs, income, and tourism.

NALC Disaster Response is providing support through local partners, shipping gift cards and other supplies for emergency relief.

To support these efforts, donate your gift cards to NALC Disaster Response, 16500 Noble Ave. Caldwell, Ohio  43724. If you’d like to give monetary support, send checks to the NALC Disaster Response, PO Box 860565, Minneapolis, MN  55486

For more information, contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132.

August 14, 2023

NALC Disaster Response is providing assistance in Maui through our contacts on Oahu.

This is the largest disaster causing loss of life in US history.  Your prayers are needed for the families of the 93 people who have lost their lives, and your support is needed for NALC Disaster Response to provide emergency relief! A cargo container will be shipped soon and donations are needed.  Please send financial support if you can.

For more information, contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or to donate, please send your support to NALC Disaster Response, P.O. Box 860565, Minneapolis, MN 55486.

April 9, 2023

On March 31, 2023, over 200 tornadoes impacted the central United States.  The storm system formed in the northern Texas area, proceeding to Little Rock Arkansas and on through Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and parts of Missouri and Kentucky.  Thankfully, NALC Disaster Response was prepared to help!

Each regional warehouse responded, delivering a total of 6 truckloads of health kits, cleaning supplies and many other items to the families who have lost everything to the tornadoes.

Terry Doyle of American Lutheran Church Rantoul IL shared the following God moments with us:

“Last week, the NALC’s Disaster Response Warehouse received a 26’ U-Haul Box Truck instead of the 20’ that was anticipated—but God knew that was exactly what they needed! With all the goods needed to send to 1st Baptist Church in Jacksonville Arkansas, including things like 323 flood buckets, 564 blankets, and 324 health kits, they were barely able to get the doors on the truck closed!

After a team of 14 loaded the truck, it made its way to Arkansas. Thank you Lord for helping provide for the needs of your people!”

There is so much need and so many families will need help rebuilding, so we encourage you to organize or sign up for a mission trip. Now that the Disaster Response Warehouses are depleted, we welcome any donations.  Also, a big thank you goes out to the many volunteers who made this response possible. Please keep the families and communities in your prayers – this devastation is so widespread.

For more information, contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or to donate, please send your support to NALC Disaster Response, P.O. Box 860565, Minneapolis, MN 55486.

March 28, 2023

Mississippi Tornado

NALC Disaster Response is responding to the devastating tornadoes in Rolling Fork Mississippi, where 26 people have died.  This EF-4 tornado struck northern Mississippi through Amory, MS and continued on into Alabama and Georgia.  Your prayers and help is needed!  Health kits, rakes, shovels, school kits and gift cards are needed!

To donate, contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or [email protected].

To donate funding, please send your support to NALC Disaster Response, P.O. Box 860565, Minneapolis, MN 55486.

Thank you and God Bless!

March 7, 2023

Members of the NALC help send supplies to East Palestine, OH, residents 

November 15, 2022

Stone Lutheran Church Helps Aid Those Affected by Hurricane Ian

November 10, 2022

Hurricane Nicole

Hurricane Nicole made landfall on the east coast of Florida last night, Nov. 9, slamming into the Titusville/Daytona vicinity.  It is a Category 1 hurricane that is causing tidal surge, in-land flooding, and tornadoes. Over 320,000 people are without power in the 45 impacted counties of Florida. I have been checking on our congregations and will continue to post their reports as received.  Please pray for the families in the path of Hurricane Nicole! Emergency relief supplies will be delivered when possible — for more information, contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or to donate, please send your support to NALC Disaster Response, P.O. Box 860565, Minneapolis, MN 55486. Thank you and God Bless!

October 22, 2022

Disaster Response Warehouse Completed as Eagle Scout Project

Jordan Werner, a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church and a member of Scout Crew 58, Elmer, NJ, completed work on transforming the church’s shed into a mini-storage facility for a Disaster Response Distribution site. Jordan, a junior at Schalick High School, led the job for his Eagle Scout project.

One of the things that led Jordan to work on this project was that he has seen the value of the church’s work in helping those impacted by disasters. Last year when an EF 3 tornado tore through Mullica Hill and nearby areas, the need to provide relief was immediate. However, the closest Disaster Response Warehouse was over 2 hours away in Middle River, Maryland. Jordan and his parents made the trip to bring back supplies that members of Emanuel, then helped distribute to families in need.

 Now that the shed has been cleaned out and outfitted with shelves and organizational supplies, it will store school kits, health kits, blankets and quilts, flood buckets, and Bibles for Disaster Response. These kits come from member congregations of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) that assemble and donate them throughout the year. At the annual meeting of the Atlantic Mission Region, those items are collected and then sent to areas throughout the continental United States where they are most needed.

“The one thing that sets us (the NALC) apart when it comes to disaster response is the spiritual care that pastors and lay people provide to individuals and families,” said The Reverend Mark Werner, Jordan’s father and Pastor of Emanuel Lutheran Church. “People need to talk when they experience a loss and it is important to have someone care by being not only a listening ear, but joining them in prayer,” he said.

The new disaster warehouse will be dedicated at the conclusion of the service on Sunday, October 23^rd, 2022. Mrs. Mary Bates, the Director of the NALC Disaster Response will be present to join in the dedication. If anyone would like to make a donation toward the disaster response warehouse, gifts of blankets, Bibles, yard tools, and gift cards are always welcome.

This is not the first time Emanuel has been active in NALC Disaster Response. Two years ago, Sam and Anette Manno, members of Emanuel, outfitted a trailer with working stations and tools needed to aid in the rebuilding of homes by volunteers. Since its completion, the tool trailer has been utilized in parts of North Carolina and Florida.

Emanuel, a member congregation of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC). Emanuel joined the NALC in 2015.

October 18, 2022

Hurricane Ian Relief

NALC Disaster Response has now sent 6 box trucks of flood buckets, health kits, school kits, quilts, Bibles, shovels/rakes, and baby care items/diapers. That is over 3,000 flood buckets, 6000 quilts, and so much more.

Hurricane Ian left a wide path of destruction and pain and it is truly heartbreaking.  No matter how many times we see the aftermath of natural disasters, it is always gut-wrenching to witness family homes reduced to rubble, and to minister to the families of the people who died in the hurricane.

Thank you for your prayers and support – we have emptied the national warehouse and the regional warehouses and need your help to start re-stocking.

Please consider placing NALC Disaster Response on your calendar for 2023 and scheduling “Stuff the Trucks” — collecting flood buckets and other emergency relief supplies. You can also schedule a NALC Disaster Response Sunday and collect gift cards and monetary donations, schedule volunteer teams and mission trips to help in the regional warehouses and to start rebuilding in Florida.

To schedule any of the above, contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or [email protected]

Updated October 3, 2022

Hurricane Ian

NALC Disaster Response has now served Christ Lutheran St. Petersburg, Abiding Savior Winter Haven. Thankfully, Shepherd of the Hills Dade City was not impacted.

Today Shepherd of the Woods in Jacksonville will be delivering emergency relief supplies from our North Carolina warehouse to Oasis Lutheran, Lake Mary, and also to Estero Florida.

There are 86 people who have lost their lives, and 630,000 people are without power. The Peace River is still flooding — see the below picture of a home with 10’ of water in it as of Sunday October 2.

NALC Disaster Response will continue to make deliveries of flood buckets, health kits and other emergency supplies while assessing the need for our volunteers.  More information to come.

Your prayers and support is needed!
Please send your donations to:
NALC Disaster Response
PO Box 860565
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55486.

For more information, call Mary at 740-509-1132 or email [email protected]

Updated September 30, 2022

 Hurricane Ian

NALC Disaster Response trucks are enroute to our congregations in Florida, delivering flood buckets and other emergency relief supplies.   Reports from our members in Florida are all good, our pastors are safe and to date congregations are safe.  Assessment of damages is starting today.  More to come!

NALC Disaster Response will be sending trucks to the Carolinas as needed.  We are emptying our warehouses and your help will be needed to restock!  Stay tuned for more to come, God bless.

Updated September 29, 2022

 Hurricane Ian

Four truckloads of flood buckets and emergency relief supplies are making deliveries to our 6 NALC churches being hammered by Hurricane Ian. Pictured above is the projected path of Hurricane Ian, NALC Disaster Response will need your help in the on-going response to Hurricane Ian as it moves into the Carolinas.

Updated September 29, 2022

Hurricane Ian Slams Into Florida 

Updated September 28, 2022

 Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian is nearing a Category 5 hurricane and 5 of our NALC churches are in the direct path of landfall when it hits Florida.  There are 155+ mph sustained winds, predicted tidal surges of 10-15 feet, and rains of up to 25 inches.

NALC Disaster Response is ready to deploy and more help is needed, this is a big one folks – please send your donations for flood buckets and other emergency relief to NALC Disaster Response, PO Box 860565, Minneapolis, MN 55486 as soon as possible.

Please send gift cards to NALC Disaster Response, 16500 Noble Ave. Caldwell, Ohio 43724.  Call Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 for more information or for flood buckets and kits pickup as soon as possible.  Your prayers are desperately needed for our families and friends in Florida.

May God watch over you,
Mary Bates
NALC Disaster Response
16500 Noble Ave
Caldwell, Ohio 43724

Updated September 26, 2022

Hurricane Ian

NALC Disaster Response stands ready to assist as needed when this hurricane makes landfall.  Emergency relief supplies are loaded and ready for delivery and I will issue an appeal for volunteers when permitted to send volunteers in. I pray that it is not a severe storm and that you and your congregations are surrounded by God’s hedge of protection.

Please contact me, Mary Bates, as soon as possible to direct NALC Disaster Response on any assistance at 740-509-1132.

Updated August 5, 2022:

August 1 — Kentucky Flooding

NALC Disaster Response was deployed to Hazard KY on Monday Aug.1.  The 26’ box has been sent with with flood buckets, health kits, Bibles, clean up tools and supplies.  The volunteers in Hazard were so very thankful for the church’s support and prayers. The death toll continues to rise, now at 28 fatalities.  More than 10 inches of rain fell in eastern Kentucky last week.  The area is expected to see additional rainfall this week.  Keep those prayers coming!

Gift cards are needed for the NALC Disaster Response – we are completely out of gift cards after serving in western Kentucky and tornado recovery.  If you would like to help, please send your support as soon as possible to NALC Disaster Response, 16500 Noble Ave., Caldwell, Ohio 43724.

**UPDATE: NALC Disaster Response volunteers delivered the 26’ box truck of flood buckets into Hazard KY this week. Folks, it is really bad there – your prayers are needed for this very poverty stricken area that has lost so much. Please send your donations as soon as possible, your help is needed!

NALC Disaster Response volunteers will be delivering flood buckets and emergency relief supplies to Hindman, KY, where four children were swept away in the flood waters. We will be providing spiritual Christian care for as many of the community there as possible.  Again, your prayers are needed!

For more information, contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or [email protected]

Update, July 25, 2022:

July 25 — Berry Creek Wildfires

St. Timothy of San Jose and Our Savior of Auburn California are responding to the Berry Creek wildfires that occurred in California last fall.  Ten youth and ten adults are helping to clear underbrush and debris to prevent damage from future wildfires.

To schedule a mission trip, contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or disasterresponse@thenalc.org.

Update, June 28, 2022:

June 28 — All Saints Lutheran Church helps rebuild after Kentucky Tornadoes

The All Saints Lutheran Church of Arlington Texas is currently on mission trip to Mayfield Kentucky, where an EF-4 tornado destroyed over 5,000 homes and took the lives of 88 people in December of 2021. An intergenerational group of twenty youth and adults from All Saints are currently helping to build a home for a disabled veteran who is paraplegic, and to repair the home of a Ms. Kay, who lost her home, her job, and her best friend the night the tornado hit.

The team is also working on another three homes in the hardest-hit parts of Mayfield, Kentucky. We thank All Saints Lutheran Church for all their hard work, and for being the outstretched hands of Jesus to people in desperate need.

Update, May 23, 2022:

May 23 — NALC Disaster Response is in need of Children’s Bibles and Teen Bibles for KY tornadoes 

Children’s Bibles can be found here.

Please send bibles to: NALC Disaster Response, 16500 Noble Ave., Caldwell, Ohio  43274.

Have questions? Contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132.

Update, March 24, 2022:

March 22 — Texas Wildfires 

The rain out in the area was fairly light, so the Eastland fire is considered 70% contained today. The rain wasn’t enough to totally put it out. That area is still in a red flag condition even after the rain that did fall. Everything is still very dry, and it is windy. We pray that it does not get out of hand again.

If you have additional information or are aware of needs that NALC Disaster Response may assist with, please contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132.

Update, March 22, 2022:

March 22 — Texas Wildfires 

Up to 108,000 acres of land has been destroyed throughout Texas in the past week as wildfires continue to go untamed.

Hay, grain and fencing is desperately needed in Gorman where distribution is happening at the Gorman Milling Co. The feedlot in Eastland is holding over 350 cattle that were turned loose to save them from the fires and hay and grain is desperately needed in Eastland for these cattle.

If you are able to donate hay and/or, please deliver it to Gorman or Eastland.  Any monetary donations will be used to purchase fencing for local farms and ranches.

If you have additional information or are aware of needs that NALC Disaster Response may assist with, please contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132.

Update, March 7, 2022:

March 7 — Iowa tornado, other severe weather kills at least 7

A tornado and other severe weather roared through Iowa on Saturday, resulting in at least seven deaths, according to reports. Our prayers go out to the families who have lost loved ones south of Des Moines, 7 total. There are 25-30 destroyed homes in the Winterset and Charion area. Lots of damage on the ground but manageable by local resources.

If you have additional information or are aware of needs that NALC Disaster Response may assist with, please contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132.

Update, December 20, 2021:

December 10 Tornadoes — Update

On Dec. 10, 2021 an EF-4 tornado tore through Kentucky for 225 miles, killing 77 people and destroying thousands of homes from Mayfield, KY, to Bremen, KY. Another 20 tornadoes were spawned, impacting the Bowling Green vicinity, a total of 16 Kentucky counties were declared by FEMA.

NALC Disaster Response were on the ground by Monday Dec. 13, delivering six truck loads of emergency relief supplies: to Benton, Madisonville, Princeton and Bowling Green. More trucks are scheduled this week. In addition to the emergency relief supplies, new toys for Christmas were collected and over $25,000 in new toys will be delivered to the children who have lost everything. Trucks and trailers from Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina and Pennsylvania are arriving daily — thank you Jesus. A father and mother of four were in disbelief that our churches would help complete strangers: a family standing in front of an empty lot where their house used to be … we prayed and we cried and we reassured this family that we as the NALC will be there to help rebuild their home!

After Christmas, repairs and rebuilding will begin. There are four volunteer teams scheduled and to schedule your team, please contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132.

Thank you for brightening Christmas for so many families.

Update, December 16, 2021:

December 10 Tornadoes — Update
NALC Disaster Response has been on the ground delivering emergency relief supplies from the National Disaster Warehouse in Caldwell, Ohio since Monday Dec. 13.  It is reported that 88 people have lost their lives.  Thousands of homes are damaged and destroyed – assessment of numbers is not completed at this writing.  There are 16 counties declared for FEMA assistance in Kentucky and now Arkansas and Illinois have received federal declarations.   Six (6) more truck loads of emergency relief supplies are being delivered from the NALC Disaster Response regional warehouses.  Communities being served through St. Paul Lutheran Church Metropolis IL and House of Prayer Lutheran Church Elizabethtown KY are:  Mayfield, Benton, Princeton, Dawson Springs, Madisonville, Bremen, and Bowling Green.  Your donations of health kits, school kits, Bibles, quilts, and baby items are deeply appreciated!

On Monday Dec. 20, we will be delivering truck loads of new toys for Christmas to these impacted communities and the children who have lost everything – Thank you NALC congregations for responding so quickly!!  And yes, the families that we have been meeting with are so excited to get something for their children for Christmas – so many mothers cried when we told them!    We will continue to deliver toys right up to Christmas Day so keep sending your donations.

Both St. Paul and House of Prayer Lutheran Churches are hosting volunteer teams – please sign up with Mary Bates as soon as possible!

Monetary donations and gift cards received after Christmas will be used to ship in lumber and building supplies from Ohio and other states – building supply stores are absolutely empty here in KY.

For more information, please contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or [email protected]

For the FEMA Response to Tornado Outbreak, click here.

Update, December 14, 2021:

December 10 Tornadoes — Update

NALC Disaster Response has made its first delivery of emergency relief supplies to Madisonville KY. The pastor and his wife were so very, very appreciative! They had completely run out of health kits and all of their supplies to help 4 communities! Pastor Charles said this delivery was absolutely a blessing from God.

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

For the FEMA Response to Tornado Outbreak, click here.

Update, December 13, 2021:

December 10 Tornadoes — Update

NALC Disaster Response is coordinating efforts for the Dec. 10 tornadoes and we are delivering health kits, school supplies, gift cards, and new toys for Christmas to St. Paul Lutheran Church Metropolis IL which is our staging area for Mayfield KY and the surrounding communities. We are also delivering emergency relief items to the House of Prayer in Elizabethtown, KY which is our staging area for Bowling Green KY.  Your prayers and support are desperately needed.  As previously referenced, Pastor Rob Carr’s hometown is Mayfield KY and we found this morning (thank God) that his family is all okay. Mary and team is en route now with your prayers and support. Volunteers are needed for spiritual Christian care and for debris removal.  Contact Mary at 740-509-1132 for more information.

By next week (Christmas week), Mary is collecting new toys for Christmas, so please send your monetary donations to NALC Disaster Response, P.O. Box 860565, Minneapolis, MN  55486. Please send gift cards to Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response, 16500 Noble Ave., Caldwell, Ohio  43724. The delivery of new toys will be made by Wednesday Dec. 22. Next update and pictures will be provided tonight — Monday evening.

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

For the FEMA Response to Tornado Outbreak, click here.

Update, December 12, 2021:

December 10 Tornadoes — Update

There are currently 38 confirmed deaths, thousands of homes destroyed, a night of terror for thousands of people, your prayers are desperately needed. Pastor Rob Carr’s home town is Mayfield, KY which is completely destroyed.  NALC Disaster Response is responding.  More information to come.

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

Update, December 12, 2021:

Prayer Request & Call for Help

Please pray for the families who lost loved ones in the Kentucky, Illinois and three additional states tornadoes on Friday Dec. 10. NALC Disaster Response is responding to the devastating tornadoes, providing emergency relief supplies.

To volunteer, contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or email at [email protected] as soon as possible. To donate, please send your support to NALC Disaster Response, P.O. Box 860565, Minneapolis, MN 55486.

Gift cards from Walmart and Target are needed for families to help replace Christmas. For more information, contact Mary Bates.

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

Update, September 7, 2021:

Hurricane Ida — Update

Hurricane Ida slammed into the Louisiana coast on August 29, 16 years to the day after Katrina devastated New Orleans.

Some families have lost loved ones, many homes are flooded, and with temperatures soaring, millions are without power—and they still could be weeks from now according to officials. So many in Louisiana need the hope of Jesus Christ.

NALC Disaster Response has delivered 4 trailer loads into Louisiana and the 4 stall shower trailer was delivered yesterday to Metairie LA. Mary Bates is in Elmer New Jersey today to help with the tornado response, tornadoes caused by Hurricane Ida. A truck load of emergency relief supplies will be distributed today.

The death toll is now at 64 people who have lost their lives in this devastating storm.

Your prayers and support are needed. Please collect gift cards and emergency relief supplies as soon as possible. Contact Mary at 740-509-1132, if you can help.

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

Update, September 3, 2021:

Hurricane Ida — Update

Hurricane Ida caused damages and loss of life for over 1,000 miles, from Louisiana to the state of New York, causing 13 fatalities in the South and 45 fatalities in the Northeast, for a total of 58 deaths to date. Hundreds of thousands of families have no electricity and many have no water. At Wayne, NJ, the river continues to rise, causing waters in flooded homes to rise as of today Friday Sept. 3.

Hurricane Ida is being called a 500 year event; likely to happen once in every 500 years. We are currently in Covington LA, Lafayette LA, Baton Rouge LA, and Metairie LA. The shower trailer will be set up in Metairie, as soon as drivers can be located.

NALC Disaster Response is currently responding in LA, PA, and NJ. Over 25 homes have been determined destroyed near Elmer NJ, location of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Flood buckets and gifts cards and health kits are needed at this time — NALC congregations in eastern PA and New Jersey are assessing capabilities for distribution sites. Please pray and support these efforts as the full extent of the devastation is not known yet.

For more information, please contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or [email protected]

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

Update, September 2, 2021:

Hurricane Ida — Update

Hurricane Ida has now moved as a severe storm into the Northeast, causing tornadoes to erupt and devastating flooding through Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.

Our NALC congregations in Elmer New Jersey and Annapolis Maryland in addition to our Pennsylvania congregations are prepared to respond with flood buckets, health kits, and the many emergency supplies needed by the devastated families.

NALC Disaster Response will be delivering emergency supplies to Metarie Louisiana today, establishing volunteer opportunities for those able to respond. Your Prayers especially are needed – so many families were not prepared for this hurricane. Donations will be needed to help these families rebuild their homes and their lives.

For more information and to volunteer, please contact Mary Bates at [email protected] or 740-509-1132 as soon as possible. Your help is needed! Monetary donations made be sent to NALC Disaster Response, P.O. Box 860565, Minneapolis, MN 55486.

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

Update, September 1, 2021:

Hurricane Ida — Update

As Hurricane Ida makes her way through the southern states, heading north, NALC Disaster Response has made the first deliveries of emergency relief supplies to Covington LA and Lafayette LA.  The devastation that Ida has already wrought is unbelievable.  Our hearts go out to all who have felt her impact and we know that recovery will take many years.

Your help is needed.  Monetary donations may be sent to NALC Disaster Response, P.O. Box 860565, Minneapolis, MN  55486.  Gift cards and donations of flood buckets, Bibles, quilts, health kits, school kits, and baby care items may be sent to NALC Disaster Response, 16500 Noble Ave., Caldwell, Ohio  43724.

Please keep the families and our volunteers in prayer.

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

Update, August 31, 2021:

Hurricane Ida — Help Needed

Hundreds of Louisianan’s trapped by Hurricane Ida’s floodwaters were brought to safety on Monday as boats, helicopters and high-water trucks worked as part of rescue efforts after the furious storm ravaged the coast and left more than one million homes without power.

NALC Disaster Response is responding with emergency relief supplies; flood buckets, health kits, Bibles, quilts, school supplies and baby care items for the thousands of families who have been devastated by this hurricane. Through our partners in the Anglican churches, we are deploying to serve in the Baton Rouge area. More information will be posted as we are able to enter the impacted areas.

To support this effort, please send your donations to:
NALC Disaster Response
P.O. Box 860565
Minneapolis, MN 55486

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

Update, August 15, 2021:

Flooding in Gibson City — Help Needed

NALC Disaster Response and the Great Rivers Mission District is responding to massive flooding in central Illinois. Your help is needed! Gibson City to Paxton experienced 10-12 inches of rain in 4 hours on Thursday Aug. 12, causing flash flooding in nearly every home, and 1 death.  Please send your prayers and support to NALC Disaster Response, PO Box 860565, Minneapolis, MN 55486. Contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 for more information or to volunteer.

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

Update, July 19, 2021:

Idaho Wildfires — Donation Needs

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lewiston, Idaho, is providing support to firefighters and communities impacted by five wildfires burning in western Idaho. The Ohio national warehouse has deli the first truckload of emergency relief supplies for the community. The Central Pacific Mission District has delivered water and socks/underwear for the firefighters. Your prayers for rain (absolutely none in the forecast), your donations and gift cards are needed. Please send your help to NALC Disaster Response, 16500 Noble Ave. Caldwell, Ohio 43724, to cover shipping costs. We will continue to ship into the affected areas as long as the fires are burning. It is not possible to purchase water in the Lewiston area. For more information, contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or [email protected].

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

Update, July 10, 2021:

Idaho Wildfires — NALC Disaster Response Needs Your Help

Idaho has five wildfires burning and Pastor Alan Daughtery of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lewiston, Idaho, is requesting assistance for the families impacted and for the firefighters working to save as many homes as possible. Some of the wildfires are only 20 miles from the church in Lewiston. The town of Dixie has been evacuated. NALC Disaster Response is responding and needs your help! A truck load of emergency relief supplies will be transported to Trinity for distribution to area families. The shower trailer will be transported from Texas to Idaho and your support is needed. Send your donations to NALC Disaster Response,P.O. Box 860565, Minneapolis, MN  55486-0565 and help Trinity serve these communities.

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

Update, June 19, 2021:

Protect Yourself From Severe Storms

In an annual coordinated effort with the National Weather Service (NWS), the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness is promoting June 20-26 as National Lightning Safety Awareness Week and encourages all Ohioans to know what to do before, during, and after thunderstorms, and to practice severe weather safety and preparedness throughout the summer. You can find more information here.

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

Update, June 2, 2021:

Prayer Request

Please pray for the families of the victims of the active shooter at the VTA rail yard.  NALC Disaster Response provides support through our congregations and St. Timothy Lutheran Church is our local congregation in San Jose – prayers to all.

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

Update, May 19, 2021:

San Miguel Lutheran Church, Fort Worth, Texas needs your help!

NALC Disaster Response is assisting Pastor Juan Portillo and his congregation due to the severe storms hitting Texas at this time in addition to the February freezing weather event.  TThe church has 18″-2′ of water standing under it and many repairs are needed.  Mary is on-site and volunteers will start repairs as soon as possible —send your donations to NALC Disaster Response, P.O. Box 860565, Minneapolis, MN  55486-0565.

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

Update, April 13, 2021:

Disaster Training & Reginal Warehouse for the Minkota Mission District

On Sunday May 25, I will be a meeting with Emmanuel Lutheran Church Rochester to discuss a regional disaster warehouse for the Minkota Mission District.  I will be doing a 2 hour disaster training and discussing the operations of a regional warehouse when disasters strike. Feel free to join us – the location is Holy Cross Lutheran Church (LCMS), 2703 9th Ave. NW, Rochester, MN  55901.  The time is from 1pm to 3pm.  For more information, contact Mary Bates either  740-509-1132 or Larry and Debbie Vomhof at 507-251-1342

-Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

Update, March 25, 2021:

NALC Disaster Response needs your help!

Several thousand families in the Newnan Georgia area have been impacted by a mile wide and 40 mile long tornado and our NALC congregations are responding.  NALC Disaster Response has set up at Word of God Lutheran Church, Sharpsburg.  We have already delivered one trailer load of emergency relief supplies to families in need and need more help.  The high school was destroyed and the following are needed:  School kits, Bibles, health kits and gift cards are needed!  Plus your prayers!  For more information, contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 or [email protected].

Update, February 24, 2021:

5 Days with 44 Hours of Freezing Temperatures
69 Deaths – Hundreds Flee Homes
Burst Pipes, No Electricity, No Food or Clean Water,Widespread Devastation
Over $18 Billion in Damage So Far

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills from where my help comes, from the Lord Almighty”  Psalm 121

The Texas winter storm that had five days of snow, ice and freezing temperatures, has caused billions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses, churches, schools, and other structures throughout the entire state. The storm happened in an area of the country that is not prepared to handle such widespread winter storm devastation.

Dollar Per Dollar ALL donations go directly to helping individuals and families!

Mary Bates has been in touch with our Texas congregations and assessment is underway. Many of these families cannot or will not be able to live in their homes for some time. NALC Disaster Response is providing emergency relief and plumbing supplies and volunteers. The need is overwhelming, as the damage is statewide, but God is good and NALC congregations support their brothers and sisters in Christ!

Grocery Shelves are Empty – No Food or Water Available!

Julie Tucker of LCMS Texas states this storm has greatly affected the food chain supply as the several-day power outages have meant a loss of food for families, stores and food pantries. The State Department of Homeland Security estimates that it could take 2-3 months for food supplies to be restored throughout the state to return to normal. For vulnerable populations, this is devastating.

The water is not drinkable in most of the state without boiling it first due to the water plants also being affected by the freezing and burst pipe issues.

Damage Repairs in High Demand – Plumbers Needed – Supplies Limited!

The most significant need is for plumbers to make repairs and plumbing supplies, which are now almost impossible to acquire in the state. The state has estimated the average cost of repairs to burst pipes in a home is approximately $15,000 or more. Although some of this will be covered by insurance, FEMA, or state grants, the high deductibles will make it challenging to fund repairs.

If you are a licensed plumber, have critical plumbing supplies you can bring, and can volunteer to go to Texas to help with recovery efforts, please email Mary Bates at [email protected] or call 740-509-1132.

During assessment of needs, material needs are being compiled.  More will be coming on a detailed list of needed supplies.

• Copper Pipe & Fittings
• PVC Pipe & Fittings
• PEX Tubing & Fittings
• Iron Pipe Ball Valves

If you wish to donate any of these materials, contact Mary Bates to make arrangements for pick up or shipping.

To donate gift cards, please send to NALC Disaster Response, 16500 Noble Ave., Caldwell, Ohio  43724. Monetary donations go to NALC Disaster Response, P.O. Box 860565, Minneapolis, MN  55486-0565.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response

Update, February 19, 2021:

Consider attending the National Weather Service’s virtual flood and flood risk training. Learn more here: thenalc.org/gallery/flood-risk-training

Update, December 8, 2020:

Our Savior Lutheran Church, Auburn, CA, and the congregations of the Central Pacific Mission District, with the support of NALC Disaster Response, are responding to the California wildfires. Berry Creek is a small community which lost every home and business in October. Beginning with prayers and emergency relief supplies, NALC congregations reached out and have delivered one box truck load and lots of carloads of supplies to area residents living in tents on their properties.

Update, November 4, 2020:

As 2020 winds down, NALC Disaster Response continues to be extremely busy responding to disasters:

March 3, 2020 — Tennessee was struck by seven tornadoes, devastating over 100 miles of communities. Reformation Lutheran Church,  Hendersonville, responded.

COVID-19 caused the closing of our congregations in March 2020; some remain closed yet today.

May 20, 2020 — Dams burst near Midland, Michigan, destroying the homes of 11,000 families and Living Hope Lutheran Church, Farwell took the lead for our Michigan Mission District.

July 30, 2020 — Hurricane Isaias struck Oak Island, North Carolina. Bert Lea is a fourth generation islander and lives in his great-grandfather’s house which was pushed off its foundation 50 feet to the rear of the lot but remains intact. The Carolinas Mission Region is responding and helping Bert to rebuild his family home. Monetary donations and volunteers are needed.

August 28, 2020 — Hurricane Hanna struck the southern Texas coast and our South Texas Mission Region responded by partnering with the Latin Lutheran Ministries, serving several hundred families impacted in the Laredo area.

September 11, 2020 — Hurricane Sally made landfall at Pensacola Florida as a Category 2 hurricane, damaging our NALC church, St. Paul Lutheran, the pastor’s home, and over 30 homes of members of the congregation. Volunteers, emergency relief supplies, and prayers were there immediately and continue to serve as we rebuild.

October 17, 2020 — The Iowa derecho swept across the Great Plains, destroying homes, crops, and causing fatalities. Our mission plant at Robins, Iowa, Servants of Christ Lutheran Church, responded, in addition to our Iowa congregations, and continues to serve as we go into the holiday season — donations are needed.

Fire season on the West Coast — wildfires continue to burn in 12 states, with over 100 million acres burned in California, over 9 million acres burned in Oregon, and numerous other fires destroying homes and families; over 30 fatalities to date. These are the most severe and largest wildfires in recorded history. Our Central Pacific Mission District is responding and your prayers and donations of gift cards are needed.

Throughout this time of COVID-19, NALC Disaster Response continues to deliver emergency relief supplies, congregations are hosting Stuff the Trucks and volunteers are safely volunteering to help rebuild homes and the lives of those impacted.

If you would like to volunteer or donate, please send your monetary donations to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr., Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112. To donate gift cards and material donations of flood buckets, health kits, school kits, quilts, Bibles, and baby diapers, please send your prayers and support to NALC Disaster Response, 16500 Noble Ave., Caldwell, Ohio 43724.

Thank you for all you do and may God bless you in the coming year!

Update, September 23, 2020:

NALC Disaster Response is responding to Hurricane Sally in Pensacola, Florida. Sally was a tropical storm which became a Category 2 hurricane when she made landfall September 16. Pensacola took a direct hit, causing power outages for over one million people. St. Paul Lutheran Church has recently joined the NALC — St. Paul’s roof was damaged, the pastor’s house was damaged, and over 30 congregational members’ homes were impacted by the winds and flooding. Two truckloads of emergency relief supplies have been delivered; flood buckets, Bibles and kits. It was a severe storm and your help is needed.

A derecho (hurricane strength winds) struck Cedar Rapids, Iowa in August. Our NALC congregation, Mission in Christ Lutheran Church, the Iowa Mission District and NALC Disaster Response are responding.

The Central Pacific Mission District and NALC Disaster Response are responding to the West Coast wildfires. Record setting fires are causing millions of dollars in damage and leaving families homeless and hopeless. By providing your support, you are providing a message of hope through our congregations.

To assist our congregations in their response to each of these devastating disasters, please pray and donate Bibles! Volunteers are needed for debris removal and long-term rebuilding — please contact Mary Bates (740-509-1132) to schedule. Your donations of material goods are needed — contact Mary for the warehouse location. Please send monetary donations to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr. Suite 220, New Brighton, MN  55112.

Update, September 17, 2020:

Hurricane Sally struck Pensacola, Florida yesterday. Over a million people are without power. One of our newest NALC congregations, St. Paul Lutheran Church, has been impacted. The pastor’s home and many members’ homes have damages. NALC Disaster Response is delivering emergency relief supplies Friday. Mary Bates will be completing assessments and more information will be forth coming over the weekend.

Your help is needed! Send monetary donations to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr, Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112. Please send material donations (health kits, school supplies, clean up kits) and gift cards to the Disaster Warehouse, 16500 Noble Ave., Caldwell, Ohio 43724. Volunteers are also needed. Please contact Mary Bates for more information, 740-509-1132. Your prayers and support are appreciated.

Update, August 17, 2020:

Hurricane season is here — are you ready to share the love of Jesus?

NALC Disaster Response is responding to Hurricane Isaias in North Carolina. We are on Oak Island, helping a local homeowner whose home was knocked off its foundation by tidal surge. He had open heart surgery just three weeks prior to Hurricane Isaias — thank you Jesus for volunteers!

NALC Disaster Response and Pastor Ron Voss from Servants of Christ Lutheran Church, Robins, Iowa are reaching out to Cedar Rapids and the community in support after the derecho last week. Many communities in Iowa are devastated by hurricane strength winds — prayers and support are needed.

If your congregation, WNALC and Sunday Schools have emergency relief items to donate, please contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132 to schedule a “Stuff the Truck”. See thenalc.org/nalc-disaster-response for the list of quilts, Bibles, flood buckets, and kits needed.

Update, August 11, 2020:

Pastor Jason Sigmon telephoned me today regarding an older gentleman on Oak Island whose home was destroyed by tidal surge and a car striking his home. This is a 1940’s home that is his permanent residence, he is divorced, had open heart surgery three weeks ago and has no homeowners insurance; for hurricane or flooding. He is trying to retrieve personal belongings at this time. Due to COVID-19, out of staters may not be allowed to volunteer in any areas of North Carolina at this time. I am hoping to schedule a “work day” this Saturday Aug. 15; to help this homeowner. If anyone in your congregation is available on Saturday, please contact me – I am trying to make overnight accommodations available also.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Mary Bates
NALC Disaster Response
740-509-1132
[email protected] 

Update, August 3, 2020:

NALC Disaster Response and the South Texas Disaster Warehouse is responding to Hurricane Hanna’s impact in Laredo, Texas.  There is an ELCA congregation, Cristo Rey, who is assisting 350 +/- families there.  They are in the process of leaving the ELCA and need help.

We are sending everything in the Rosenberg disaster warehouse to Laredo tomorrow (Tuesday).

I am asking for your help to restock the Rosenberg disaster warehouse — do you have any flood buckets, health kits, school kits, baby care kits, quilts, Bibles (especially Spanish Bibles)?  Are you able to transport them to Rosenberg?

If you have any of these items, or are planning a collection of any of these items, please let me know by Aug. 19!

I am planning on sending a re-supply truck from the National Disaster Warehouse in Caldwell, Ohio.  However, I have faith that the Texas mission districts will help us out!

For more information, please contact me at 740-509-1132 — thank you and God.

Bless!

Mary Bates
Disaster Coordinator
NALC Disaster Response

Baby Care Kits
WNALC Donation Request

Update, June 15, 2020:

To the Leaders of the Michigan Mission District:

Mary Bates is back in Michigan and has lined up a house that needs to be rebuilt.  A team of contractors is arriving this morning (Monday) from Minnesota to get the project started, however, additional volunteers are welcome.  Mary shared the following:

Dale & Sharon are in their mid 80’s with no resources.  Dale has state 4 lung cancer, home needs all appliances as well as sheet rock and flooring.  “Muck out” was completed on 6/12 and done well.  This week the house starts to get rebuilt.

Please put word out to your congregations that if anyone is interested in spending a day assisting, they would be welcome.

Update, May 18, 2020:

Thrivent Choice Program:

Grant funding from Thrivent Financial through its Thrivent Choice® program can help support organizations you care about – like NALC Disaster Response.

Directing Choice Dollars is easy!

Visit thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more OR call 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” after the prompt.

Update, May 12, 2020:

CDC Reopening America Guidance: https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/OHOHS/2020/05/11/file_attachments/1447832/CDC%20Reopening%20America%20Guidance.pdf

Update, May 6, 2020:

A message from Medicare.gov:

Unfortunately, scammers are using the COVID-19 pandemic to try to steal your Medicare Number, personal information, and money. And they’re using robocalls, social media posts, and emails to do it.

Remember, if anyone reaches out to get your Medicare Number or personal information in exchange for something, you can bet it’s a scam.

Be on the lookout, so you can stop scams before they happen. Here are recent Coronavirus scams to watch for:

• Robocalls offering you respiratory masks they’ll never send
• Social media posts fraudulently seeking donations for non-existent charities, or claiming to give you stimulus funds if you enter your bank account information
• Fake testing kits, cures, “immunity” pills, and offers for protective equipment

Visit Medicare.gov/fraud for more information and tips on preventing Medicare scams and fraud.

Sincerely,
The Medicare Team

Update, April 29, 2020:

Advent Lutheran Church, Kings Mountain, NC, donates supplies to local community: shelbystar.com/news/20200429/day-cares-in-cleveland-county-get-needed-supplies

Update, April 16, 2020:

From Mary Bates, NALC disaster response coordinator:

I received the below message from FEMA this morning. I have initiated a COVID-19 fund to respond in this time of a Disaster Declaration: send your monetary donations to NALC Disaster Response at 2299 Palmer Dr, Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112

Message from FEMA:

A month ago, President Trump declared a national emergency, which allowed federal government agencies to respond and help states, territories, and tribal entities conquer the COVID-19 pandemic.  In total, 56 states, territories and the District of Columbia, have received major disaster declarations, which is the first time in the history of our Nation. In addition, 26 tribes are working directly with FEMA under the emergency declaration.

Two months ago, many of us did not have or foresee the roles that we are now in – working remotely at home while the kids run around us, spending holidays away from family and friends, or being a frontline worker wearing a mask without the ability to show a smile of appreciation less than six feet away from colleagues or survivors. Our country and the world has, and continues, to change.

This disaster is different for us, as it probably is for you. But just as faith-based communities show us after a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake, you (the entire faith community) quickly filled the gaps and leaned into response mode before the federal government could step in. You ramped up donations, delivered food to your at-risk populations, and you educated the masses on how Houses of Worship can still practice their faith at a distance, but together at heart.

Last week, the DHS Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives team called many of our partners to not only check in, but to hear about the amazing initiatives they are running across the country. While FEMA is often in the headlines, many of you do not always receive the recognition you truly deserve during times of crisis. The stories we heard through the phones warmed our hearts and provided ground truth that we do not always have the privilege of seeing (or hearing). We want to give a shout out to some of those partners who are responding!

Update, April 14, 2020:

There have been over 30 fatalities in the southern states. We will be working with churches to organize and equip local volunteers to respond. Emergency relief donations are being collected now. Contact me for a pick up at 740-509-1132 or [email protected]

As many communities are asked to stay at home, my heart breaks for families that now have nowhere to go — losing loved ones and homes in a matter of minutes.

Our hearts are with those families who have lost loved ones and we are coming alongside them to help families physically start to recover from the tornadoes while reminding them that God loves them and they are not forgotten. Please join me in praying for God’s peace and comfort to cover them.

Update, March 26, 2020:

Word of Caution:

NALC Disaster Response cautions congregation about meeting in person. One of our NALC pastors, along with several of their executive committee members have most likely contracted the virus during a small executive committee meeting they held last week. NALC Disaster Response encourages congregations to strongly consider not holding in person meetings at this time. Consider using services such as Gotomeeting and Zoom to meet online.

Halfway through the Stay at Home Mandate in Ohio:

Four recommendations for our congregations: 1. Donate face masks in unopened packages to ambulance, clinics and local hospitals. If allowed, sew fabric face masks. 2. Communicate with other members of your congregations by phone and social media in fellowship and love. Get to know people who you do not routinely talk to at church. 3. Provide an outdoor “free library” of non-perishable food and paper products such as toilet paper in single packs — restock as necessary. 4. Follow Joshua 1:8, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night…be sure to obey everything written in it” (ESV). Try the “three by five technique.” Each week identify a Scripture that relates to an area in which you want to grow, write it down on a 3×5 index card and memorize it. In one year you’ll have 52 Scriptures you can recall and stand on. Think how that will impact your life!

Update, March 25, 2020:

NALC Disaster Response, at the national disaster warehouse, just finished delivering several thousand N-95 face masks and gloves to Southeast Ohio area ambulance services, health clinics, and local hospitals — we cleaned out the Warehouse, folks! Are you checking your garages and tools kits? Do you have any unopened packages of N-95 face mask that you were going to use to paint or otherwise — donate them now! Our medical professionals desperately need them. When Mary Bates called Marietta Memorial and was mistakenly transferred to a doctor, she went ahead and explained our mission and he said extremely emphatically, “Hell YES, we need all the face masks you can donate” and NALC Disaster Response has now delivered cases to him! Thank you, Jesus for Your love in this time of need.

Update, March 24, 2020:

Story from Ohio

Jack and Diane Walker from Salem Lutheran Church in West Alexandria, OH, and Tim Schubach and his wife Rita, went through all of the flood buckets stored at Salem, and picked out all of the masks and gloves. Jack and Diane took 10 sets of about 10 masks and 5 pairs of gloves to a medical facility somewhere close to West Alexandria. Tim and Rita took the rest, two garbage bags full of masks and one full of gloves, to Kettering Hospital in Kettering near Dayton. Kettering Health Network is one of the two big hospital networks in the Dayton area.

Kettering said they’d accept any masks they had, N95 or not.

Your Help Is Needed!

If you have flood buckets in storage, please contact your local ambulance services and hospitals to determine if they are allowed to receive your N-95 masks, gloves and disinfectants! Please share them if allowed! Some hospitals are requesting fabric face masks — ask that question also and then contact local quilters. Here are instructions: https://buttoncounter.com/2018/01/14/facemask-a-picture-tutorial/?fbclid=IwAR0wHYbXsfKPCZhwUvVQiOazkbxchgZf0uOw2K3acX3flSBNq6K9b1U9t2c

Update, March 13, 2020:

The impact of coronavirus continues to increase — please prayerfully consider whether to worship online by livestream or use social distancing in your house of worship. I encourage those at high risk to self-quarantine — more updates to come! God bless you all!

Update, March 12, 2020:

Update, March 11, 2020:

Coronavirus Precautions from Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response Coordinator:

I have been listening and tracking carefully for what Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a multitude of other professionals are reporting on coronavirus and what it may mean for us in the Church.

Based on the advice of medical professionals and the CDC, we at the NALC Disaster Response are urging that if there’s even the smallest chance that we can be carriers of the virus, we should not visit nursing homes, go to work, or be in crowds. Self-quarantining for travelers is recommended, for up to 14 days.

It is recommended that persons considered “high risk” NOT ATTEND WORSHIP. High risk people include those over seventy and those with cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, or diabetes. If you choose to attend worship, you should NOT shake hands, instead, wave or do the sign language hello.

It has also been noted that it is twice as easy to contract the coronavirus than it is ordinary flu viruses. Proper hand washing is recommended. Hand washing is the #1 way to prevent the spread of the virus. Pastor Matthew Magera suggests that we say the Lord’s Prayer while hand washing to insure the full measure of cleanliness.

A portion of these recommendations are taken from Pastor Mark Daniels. Other policies and procedures that our churches are employing need to be shared.  Thank you pastors and staff for your support!

Due to the very mobile society that we live in today, it is anticipated that the virus will spread before being contained.

Please look at this website to see preventive measures recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Click here for the equally helpful World Health Organization site: who.int/…/novel-coronavirus-2…/advice-for-public.

Please also check these five tips for avoiding contracting or spreading the coronavirus from Dr. Amy Acton, director of the Ohio Department of Health: youtube.com/watch…

For more information, please contact Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response coordinator at 740-509-1132 or [email protected].

Update, March 8, 2020:

NALC Disaster Response is in need of school kits/supplies for the Donelson Christian Academy and health kits. Consider also sending gift cards and planning a mission trip this summer to help Reformation Lutheran Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee support long-term recovery, that would be extremely helpful. Children’s Bibles and teen Bibles are needed and lots of prayers! Any of these would be helpful at this time. These items can be sent to any of the collection points listed above.

Update, March 7, 2020:

Nashville, Tennessee was devastated by tornadoes Monday, possibly 4 on the ground which went for 80 miles, through Cookeville, Tennessee.

NALC Disaster Response is on the ground with our congregation Reformation Lutheran Church from Hendersonville, Tennessee. Pastor Dean Eatman, volunteers from the Carolinas Mission District, Mary Bates and team are serving hundreds in the impacted area. Twenty four people have died and twenty one are still missing. Pray for these families.

Your help is needed! Bibles, quilts, school kits (4 schools are 100% destroyed), health kits, and gift cards may be shipped or delivered to NALC Disaster Response, 810 Main St, Caldwell, Ohio 43724. Monetary donations may be sent to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr, Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112.

Update, March 4, 2020:

Thank you Jesus. Pastor Eatman’s sister and family was found safe, several members of Reformation Lutheran Church experienced damages to their homes, they live in the Mount Juliet area, your prayers and support are needed! There have been 24 fatalities, hundreds of homes destroyed, emergency relief supplies are being transported to our churches in Tennessee, loading today, volunteers are needed and to support our volunteers, send monetary donations to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr., Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112. For more information, contact Mary Bates at [email protected] or 740-509-1132.

Update, March 3, 2020:

Prayers are needed for the families of the seven people killed last night in the Nashville, Tennessee tornadoes. NALC Disaster Response is responding through Reformation Lutheran Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee — thank you Pastor Dean Eatman for reaching out to the community. Members of Reformation were in the path, their status is unknown at this time. I will provide updates as available. To help out this devastated area, send monetary donations/checks to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr., Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112. To donate emergency relief supplies (Bibles, quilts, school kits and health kits are urgently needed), contact Mary Bates at [email protected] or 740-509-1132.

Update, March 2, 2020:

Larry and Deb Vomhof coordinated 25 volunteers from Minnesota to assist with long-term recovery in Dayton, Ohio, February 9-17. They worked on 14 homes, completing most of them so homeowners can now return to their homes after a year has passed. Three tv stations and the local newspaper covered the volunteers (Dayton News) while working at Ronnie’s home and Jesse’s home. All of these homeowners are very poor and really needed the love of Jesus. To schedule your youth and adults during 2020, contact Mary Bates, NALC disaster response coordinator at [email protected].

Update, October 21, 2019:

Sunday night, October 21, a tornado touched down in north Dallas/Richardson area, possibly a F-3, NALC Disaster Response stands ready to respond. Please pray for the families who lost loved ones. Monetary donations may be sent to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr., Suite 220, New Brighton, MN  55112.

Update, September 24, 2019:

NALC Disaster Response will be at St. John Lutheran Church – Montpelier  OH on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 4-5pm to “Stuff the Truck,” collecting up donations of flood buckets, quilts, health kits, school kits and layettes for emergency disaster response.

If you are able, please deliver your donations to St. John’s by Saturday or before — and pass on the word!

Update, September 13, 2019:

Menno, South Dakota is flooding from yesterday’s storms. Pastor Theresa Jacobson and members are sandbagging in an attempt to save the church.

Update, September 6, 2019:

NALC Disaster Response has communicated with our pastors and congregations on the East Coast; from Jacksonville, FL to Atlantic City, NJ.

Thank you Jesus for your gracious blessings! Hurricane Dorian touched the coast in the Carolinas, causing localized flooding and tidal surge. However, other than power outages, there are no severe damage reports. Our congregations are reaching out to the larger communities in each state to offer aid and assistance. A load of flood buckets from the Disaster Warehouse at Advent Lutheran Church, Kings Mountain, NC will be delivered to our congregation in North Charleston, SC. Thank you Pastor Melinda Jones for serving the Charleston area at Advent Lutheran Church, North Charleston.

If you would like to make a monetary donation, please send to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr., Suite 220, New Brighton, MN  55112.

If you would like to donate emergency relief supplies and gift cards for long-term recovery efforts, please send them to Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Warehouse, 810 Main St., Caldwell, Ohio 43724 or contact Mary about other arrangements at [email protected].

To provide assistance in the Bahamas, which was devastated by Hurricane Dorian, please send your support to Water Mission.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Update, September 4, 2019:

Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response coordinator, has talked with Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina congregations. Our pastors and congregations are prepared for Hurricane Dorian. Storm surge is the most significant issue to anticipate. Emergency relief supplies and volunteers are loaded and ready to go as needed. Please send your prayers for the Bahamas and our congregations on the East Coast!

To donate, please send monetary donations to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr. Suite 220, New Brighton, MN  55112.

Update, September 3, 2019:

Hurricane Dorian, the first major hurricane of the 2019 storm season, slammed into the Bahamas as a powerful Category 4 storm. The storm’s powerful winds and heavy downpours have caused unprecedented flooding and damaged countless homes and businesses. Rescue workers are working quickly to assist individuals and families trapped in their houses, while organizations are organizing aid and relief efforts to help all those affected by record-setting Dorian.

As Dorian moves over the Bahamas, it has its sights set on much of the southeastern coast. Meteorologists predict communities from Florida through North Carolina may be affected by the storm as it moves north over the coming days.

You can help families and communities affected by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas and the United States today. NALC Disaster Response is taking donations of material emergency relief supplies at the disaster warehouses in Caldwell, Ohio and the Carolinas; and please send monetary donations to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr. Suite 220, New Brighton, MN   55112.

Interested in funding long-term support for the communities affected by Hurricane Dorian? Volunteers and donations of building supplies, gift cards and monetary donations are needed for long-term recovery rebuilding. The NALC Disaster Response Fund allows donors to give now to support recovery needs that will continue to surface long after our attention and the media attention has turned away. Recovery after a major storm like Hurricane Dorian can take many months, if not years.

Update, September 2, 2019:

NALC Disaster Response is tracking Hurricane Dorian, a Category 4 hurricane, as it moves toward the United States. We stand ready to deploy emergency relief supplies, volunteers, and assistance in support of our congregations. Your prayers and support are needed. Please pray for the thousands of families in harm’s way. Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response coordinator, will post daily updates as the storm progresses. For more information, contact Mary at 740-509-1132 or [email protected]. To donate, please send your donations to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr., Suite 220, New Brighton, MN  55112.

Update, August 22, 2019:

From Mary Bates, NALC disaster response coordinator: I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the Sept. 14 Iowa Mission District Convocation. I will have a display there and information on long-term recovery for rebuilding of homes in Nebraska and vicinity. The WNALC and NALC Disaster Response are also doing a “Stuff the Truck” instead of the semi like we did last year.

Please let me know how many items you will be bringing to the convocation, so I can bring the proper size of truck—I really hope to fill a 26′ box truck!

Print and share the following flyers (Stuff the Truck & WNALC Donation Requests). Contact me if you have any questions ([email protected]). See you Sept. 14!

Update, August 21, 2019:

From Tim Schubach (Miamisburg, OH) – I went out again this morning with Kim Moore to deliver furniture to tornado victims. We were a team of three with only two stops, but a pretty full load. We had a couple of beds, two ultra-heavy portable wardrobes, kitchen table with extension and chairs, two more sofa sleepers, a six piece sectional sofa, two TV’s, and several boxes of miscellaneous household items.

One thing I’d never thought about before … I asked one man if he was in the house when the tornado hit. He said no, he was in the county lockup. But when they all realized tornadoes had touched down, many of them started to cry knowing that they were safe in jail but not knowing anything about their families. And this man has six kids.

Even tho the Oregon District shooting pushed the tornado out of the spotlight a little, please don’t be fooled into thinking the needs have been met. Some of these pictures are from near Ground Zero in Trotwood.

Update, July 10, 2019:

Our Savior Lutheran Church, Auburn, CA is reaching out to Grace Lutheran Church, Ridgecrest, CA after the 5.4 and the 7.1 earthquakes and the multiple aftershocks that have devastated Ridgecrest and the surrounding communities. Through our partnership with Grace Lutheran, a LCMC congregation whose pastor, Kris Madsen, is dual rostered, hundreds of families will be served. Since the store shelves are completely empty, Our Savior volunteers are delivering the first truck load of emergency relief supplies the week of July 8. Baby and adult diapers, non-perishable food items, Bibles, first aid kits, and personal care items are needed. Your support and prayers are needed. To support delivery of emergency supplies, send donations to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr. Suite 220, New Brighton, MN  55112.

Update, June 21, 2019:

Diane Walker, president of the Salem, West Alexandria, Ohio, Women of the North American Lutheran Church (SWNALC) reports, “Our group has collected donations to create health/hygiene and cleaning kits to provide disaster relief for the Dayton, Ohio area following the devastating tornados and for the flood victims in the Midwest area. As of date we have assembled over 500 health kits alone and approximately 300 or more cleaning kits for cleanup. We receive some donations from area residents and parishioners but the needs far surpass the donations … We have delivered and distributed many kits to Brookville, Trotwood, Northridge, and teamed up with the NALC Disaster Relief for distribution in downtown Dayton and for flood victims in the Midwest. What kits that will not be used locally will go to a warehouse in Caldwell, Ohio to be trucked to areas affected by natural disaster, but so far our local neighbors are still in need. Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.”

Volunteer teams for rebuilding are needed now! Gift cards/donations of flooring, drywall and building supplies are also needed. Please send donations to: NALC Disaster Response — NALC Warehouse, 810 Main St., Caldwell, Ohio, 43724.

For more information, please contact Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response, at [email protected] or 740-509-1132.

Update, June 1, 2019:

There is currently a need for health kits. Send donations of health care kits to: NALC Disaster Response — NALC Warehouse, 810 Main St., Caldwell, Ohio, 43724.

Today, over 30 NALC volunteers are serving!