National Network of Churches Mobilizes Immediate Disaster Relief

Somebody Cares: Brings National Aid to Hometown Houston Area

Contact: Julie Fairchild, 214-536-0037, SomebodyCares

HOUSTON, September 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- Somebody Cares, a growing voluntary membership network with relationships across the country and around the world that is known for rapid response and relieving suffering around the world, has mobilized with an ever-growing, ever-shifting wave of resources, relief sites, and aid for Hurricane Ike victims. This time the disaster they are responding to is not in some far flung part of the world, but in their own home town and the surrounding areas.

That church passing out bottled water and fresh clothes . . . the church setting up cots for displaced persons and families . . . the semi trailers bringing canned food and first aid kits . . . are very likely Somebody Cares' partners. Well-networked and prepared, Somebody Cares partners rode out the storm in the headquarters that were badly damaged by the storm, and then moved into the hardest-hit areas alongside the Red Cross and other first responders. Some partner churches along the main evaluation route stayed open to offer restrooms, auto assistance, water and prayer to those who fled the storm.

"Evac help, staging areas for relief distribution, shelters, warehouses and distribution sites were in place in the strike zones before the storm made landfall," said SC founder and president, Doug Stringer. "Ministries from as far away as Virginia and Pennsylvania, who specialize in procurement and shipping, are providing water, food, cots, and other relief supplies quickly to the areas of need."

"The devastation is wide, and the needs are extensive up and down the Texas Coast and into Louisiana," said Stringer. "But good people from all over the country are willing to help." Churches, organizations, and businesses eager to provide relief supplies or other help may contact the SC office at 713-621-1498 or the emergency hotline at 713-545-9426, or at SomebodyCares@Somebodycares.org.

Financial donations are also needed to cover transportation expenses and to handle special circumstances that are uncovered as the network partners assess their communities in more detail. Donations can be given via the internet at www.SomebodyCares.org, where daily updates about the relief work underway is also available.