Matthew 25: Ministries is collecting donations of supplies, funds and volunteer time as crews head to Texas to help victims of Hurricane Harvey.
A Greater Cincinnati organization that provides humanitarian aid is mobilizing to help victims of Hurricane Harvey.
Blue Ash-based Matthew 25: Ministries is collecting supplies and financial donations, and an advance team will head to Texas on Tuesday to help victims of the storm.
Hurricane Harvey made landfall Friday in southeast Texas near Corpus Christi with winds reaching 130 mph and continued over the weekend as a storm that continues to dump flooding rain across the region.
The disaster relief organization will send a fleet loaded with personal care, household and cleaning products, first aid kits and supplies, and other items donated by Procter & Gamble and Cintas. The disaster response fleet also includes an ice machine that can produce up to 10,000 pounds of ice a day.
In addition to the immediate need of water and food, Matthew 25: Ministries CEO Tim Mettey said baby-care items, such as formula, diapers and wipes are immediately needed. A list of items, as well as information about how to donate, have been posted on the Matthew 25: Ministries website, www.m25m.org .
Mettey said that while donations of goods and funds are needed, volunteers are sought to help pack the contributions. Prayers are also appreciated.
Mettey said volunteers will make their way through Corpus Christi toward Rockport, Texas, which was devastated by the storm, and follow the path of destruction.
“We’ re going to get into that area first, ” he said. “As water recedes we will work north to hand out supplies. We will also send semi (trucks) of goods.”
They will work with local groups who know best who needs help.
“We give the supplies to responsible partners who do distribution, ” he said. Planning began before the hurricane hit land, and Mettey said it will continue for quite a while.
“This is a marathon and it’s just beginning.”
While Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio has no direct plans in the Texas relief effort, its national organization, Catholic Charities USA, is accepting donations to help those impacted by Harvey. Kelly Anchrum, director of marketing and communications for the local organization, said donations can be made by texting ccusadisaster to the number 71777.
The American Red Cross is also accepting donations, which can be made through its website, www.redcross.org .
