Storm relief stations established throughout Louisiana

By Betty Backstrom*

Office staff for the Louisiana Annual Conference bagged groceries and personal supplies for storm victims at the distribution center of the Uptown United Methodist Storm/Recovery Station at First Street United Methodist Church in New Orleans. La. A UMNS photo by Betty Backstrom.



BATON ROUGE, La. (UMNS)- First Street United Methodist Church, located in the central part of New Orleans, is one of six storm relief/recovery stations being established in areas of Louisiana affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is working with the Louisiana Annual (regional) Conference in setting up the stations, carefully chosen to offer close proximity to storm victims in hard hit areas.

"First Street United Methodist Church offers a prime location for one of these stations," said the Rev. Lance Eden, pastor. "Although our facilities were blessed to virtually be spared from the devastation, the area surrounding the church for miles was severely impacted."
Each storm relief/recovery station is staffed by a director, a construction director, a case management director and a part-time administrative assistant.

"The director works with volunteer teams coming in the area to provide relief and recovery assistance. We are still in the relief phase for most areas," said Jim Bailey, director of the Slidell United Methodist Storm Relief/Recovery Station at Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
As recovery and rebuilding begin, a construction director will oversee efforts to ensure that all work is completed properly and efficiently. The case management director will assist a team of case managers, serving as volunteers, who will work with storm victims to determine their specific needs and develop a recovery program to meet those needs.

"Perhaps an individual needs help with debris removal. Another may need help with construction because their insurance coverage and help from FEMA does not quite cover all their costs. Maybe someone needs a new refrigerator, but with all the financial losses suffered, they simply can't afford to buy one. Once the case manager determines those needs, then the wheels are put in motion to find solutions," said the Rev. Darryl Tate, director of the Baton Rouge based Louisiana United Methodist Storm Recovery Center, which oversees the