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Residents scramble to help those impacted by Harvey
SIKESTON -- The urgent needs of Texans displaced from their homes by the fury of Hurricane Harvey have many local churches and organizations scrambling to help.
Jeff Loftin, youth minister at the The First Baptist Church, is among those working to aid the beleaguered in Texas, and he is amazed by the outpouring of generosity.
"It is awesome to see God's hands and feet serving the needs of those suffering in Texas," said Loftin.
Loftin has had special interest in the relief effort. Loftin's sister and her family have been stranded for five days.
"My sister, her husband, their three kids and a visiting child were at their home in Tarkington, Texas, when flood waters rose and isolated their home," said Loftin. "For five days, they couldn't leave home, and they lost power a few times."
Fortunately, flood waters have receded where Loftin's family lives, but so many in the area continue to be without the basics.
"Our community has answered this desperate call with support in so many ways, including food, clothes, bedding, and financial help," said Loftin.
Sarah Thompson, communications director for the Sikeston Public Schools, said that the schools were overflowing with donated supplies to send to Texas. The donated items were going to be delivered to the First Baptist Church on Friday.
Local businessman Jerry Pullen has donated a truck and trailer to make the delivery in Texas.
The First Baptist Church has partnered with the Calvary Road Baptist Church in Willis, Texas, where the supplies will be delivered.
The Calvary Road Baptist Church has been home for a lot of people who lost their homes to rising water.
Coincidentally, it is the same church where Loftin was licensed as a minister.
The First Baptist Church in Sikeston is currently accepting relief supplies for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and will continue to accept them until the truck is loaded on Sunday afternoon.
On Sunday at 4 p.m. care packages will be packaged in the church gym and a trailer packed with as many supplies as possible will be driven to Texas on Monday morning.
Items needed are batteries (all sizes), garbage bags, water, cleaning supplies, canned foods, gallon-size ziploc bags, children's underwear and shoes, blankets and pillows and travel-size hygiene items such as toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo and deodorant.
Monetary donations can be made to FBC Sikeston c/o Harvey Relief. There is also a need for a donation or lending of a generator for the trip to Texas.
All supplies can be brought to the church, located at 1101 N. Main St. in Sikeston.
Anyone with questions can contact Jeff Loftin at (573) 471-4122.