Celebration and disaster response
Wednesday, Sept. 17 was our big day, with early-afternoon seminars, a 4:30 p.m. ribbon-cutting and a 6 p.m. Dinner on the Dock. We are using Second Harvest Food Bank’s 25th anniversary to anchor the events and Hunger Action Month to tie them all together.
We continued on with our preparations even while other communities in the nation were turned upside down by hurricanes, ocean surges, tropical storms, tornadoes and epic flooding. They remain on our minds, and we remain ready to respond as we can and when needed.
Our national body, Feeding America, provides daily conference calls to keep us updated about these national disasters. It has secured 100 tractor trailer loads of supplies for the Gulf Coast states and for inland communities damaged by hurricane generated flooding and winds. Feeding America has spent $600,000 on this relief, and it is estimated that regional food banks have added another $400,000 of resources to that total. Those numbers can only climb as more need is reported.
During huge disasters, there are particular challenges to local organizations providing basic needs and emergency services. If we are connected to a national organization designated a first responder, we are often asked by local constituents to pass donations on to help in the crisis. Our challenge is to continue providing services here while addressing the need there.
We have recently heard of several Salvation Army locations in Indiana that may be closing their pantry services because of lack of funds. These same groups are receiving generous financial donations to send on for hurricane relief. They certainly recognize the enormity of the need, and they will definitely pass the money on, but it must be with some anguish as they witness people in their own communities without enough food to eat.
Those located in the midst of the disaster have unbelievable challenges as well. Their “business as usual†has ceased to exist. Their target population expands from those who are low-income to those of all incomes who have lost everything. Long after the TV coverage has stopped, these organizations continue to support their communities as they rebuild.
Here is a report received last week, prior to Ike’s landfall, from a colleague in Baton Rouge, La.: “Gustav delivered a massive blow with extensive damage and flooding to Louisiana. This is the most devastating storm to our area in history and exceeds Hurricane Betsy in 1965. Starting at the coastal parishes and moving through our service area, the damage has been very extensive with parishes (counties) experiencing 100 percent loss of power and significant damage from felled trees. In the City of Baton Rouge, some areas are looking at up to three weeks without power. (Our food bank has) been and continues to be without power — we are operating on generator power and have been fortunate enough to be refueled three times to keep operating. Even though we are on the priority list for the return of power, our facility is located in an area that is projected to be without power for up to three weeks.â€
Currently food banks in Texas are dealing with wind damage to their facilities as they prepare to support displaced residents. They have 20,000 people registered in shelters in Texas with many other spontaneous shelters popping up to care for people who are finding that they cannot stay in their own homes. All this without electrical power and with roads blocked by water and fallen trees.
Fortunately, Americans have the biggest hearts in the world and some of the deepest pockets. We respond generously when we know the plight of our neighbors. We will donate millions of dollars to continue helping those harmed by Gustav and now Ike. We will send food and supplies, and we will continue to support our local charities when we are reminded of the need.
We were glad to see so many at our ribbon-cutting ceremony and at Dinner on the Dock. We celebrated the generosity that made our relocation possible, that helps us do the work we do and that responds open-heartedly when need is made known.