Ida Relief Efforts: Got Chicken?
Every time we have a big event, we have just the right number of volunteers and I think that is the Lord's favor on us and our efforts. It was the same at this event, we had just enough cooks to pull this one together and they were the right people for the task! - Sam Hawkins, member of Trinity Anglican’s Crisis Relief leadership
“As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).
New Orleans, LA
As beautiful fall weather blankets much of North America, plenty of people in Louisiana are still reeling after Hurricane Ida came ashore nearly two months ago. Residents, especially of the small parishes southwest of New Orleans, are still without roofs, food, and other basics.
Fortunately, a partnership of churches, non-profits, and local government agencies continue to serve those who lost so much because of the storm.
So what are they doing? You may recall the funny video Father Randall (of Good Shepherd) made after receiving a donation of 400 pounds of chicken. On October 16, that chicken was cooked and served to over 600 people in need of meals.
To serve those affected by Hurricane Ida, a group from the churches of the Deanery of Louisiana and the Diocese of the Western Gulf Coast went to Norco, cooked more than 400 pounds of chicken, and served more than 600 meals. All glory to God! (2.5 min)
According to Susan Bell, this event was one more opportunity to come together as an Anglican family “to share not just food but love with those affected by the hurricane.” Her husband, Skeeter, adds, “Additionally, to see the grace of God for those we are feeding, which shows to us God's work in our lives daily.”
This is just the latest outreach event coordinated by the Crisis Response teams of Trinity Lafayette and the Diocese of the Western Gulf Coast. At earlier events, volunteers have delivered buckets of cleaning supplies, cleaned out houses, and - yes - served more food.
In the southern culture we show love by preparing and sharing a meal. The smiles, the waves, and the shouted 'thank you' from the folks in the pickup line means that they feel the care that went into the meal. This makes all of the work that we do worth every minute! – Susan Bell, Trinity Anglican
We are grateful for all of the partnerships growing out of this disaster, and for your continued support as the churches reach out to those in need with tangible acts of compassion. ARDF is proud to support these efforts by churches and volunteers committed to long-term recovery efforts. You can read updates and donate to future events here.
Thank you!
It took multiple teams to cook all of the donated chicken.
Amy Jeffries of Trinity Anglican was one of a couple of dozen who volunteered to serve chicken to those in need after Hurricane Ida.
Father Peter Johnson, Rector of Trinity Anglican (Lafayette), has been a key leader of Hurricane Ida relief efforts. Here Fr. Peter and his children assist the cooks at the October 16 event in Norco, LA.
Over 600 meals were served, to people standing in line and to drivers in cars.
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