Disaster Relief to Baton Rouge

#1 RULE OF DISASTER RESPONSE:  Be flexible and patient.

100,000 people have lost their homes and belongings from historic flooding that occurred a few weeks ago.  This includes hundreds of members from Trinity Lutheran Church (our host church).  The Holy Cow Smokers and Lamb of God Lutheran Church in partnership with Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, The Southern District - Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Trinity Lutheran Church Baton Rouge, LWML-Texas, and LWML-Oklahoma would like to invite you to volunteer your precious time, September 22 - 25. Our volunteers will spread the mercy and love of Jesus Christ to the community by preparing and distributing hot BBQ meals throughout the affected area. Volunteers will be needed to prepare and distribute the meals, provide spiritual care, as well as flood cleanup which may consist of mucking out of homes, light construction and debris cleanup.

You do NOT have to be LERT certified or be a Certified Food Handler.

SIGN UP INFORMATION:You may receive notification from two different sources to sign up:  LOG and Disaster Care Ministry.  Please choose only one sign up option as both will include cleanup and food prep and distribution opportunities.  This will eliminate duplication of our volunteer information.  Both are equally valid.  

MEAL PREPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION:Tasks will include set up, cooking, meal preparation, distribution, and kitchen cleanup. All meal prep volunteers should bring a head cover, ie. baseball cap, scarf, etc.

HCS SCHEDULE:

• Thursday, September 22:  Arrival at Trinity Lutheran Church in the afternoon
• Friday, September 23:       lunch 11am - 1pm; dinner 5pm - 7pm
• Saturday, September 24:  lunch 11am - 1pm; dinner 5pm - 7pm
• Sunday, September 25:    lunch 11am - 1pm; depart after cleanup

All of our volunteers with our group and others will receive a BBQ meal (lunch and dinner).  Breakfast is tentative; may be on your own.

FLOOD CLEANUP TASKS:The people of Baton Rouge need YOU! The work is nasty and hot but rewarding as you help people get one step closer to moving back into their homes.

THE WORK: Gutting flooded homes. This consists of helping homeowners salvage valuables, moving wet, moldy furniture to the curb, ripping up wet carpet, smashing moldy sheetrock into pieces and “wheelbarrowing” it to the curb, light construction, sheet rock installation, painting and debris cleanup.

THE HOUSING: Trinity Lutheran Church has room in the Fellowship Hall or the Gym of the school. Bring an air mattress and bedding. Showers are available on site. Bring toiletries.  (think camping).  The church has electricity, air conditioning, and WIFI.  Should you decide to stay elsewhere, the cost you incur will be your own responsibility.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES: We currently do not have enough RV spaces for volunteers...but we're working on it. 

SUPPLY LIST: Download this for a list of items to bring with you.

RELEASE FORM:  All volunteers need to complete this form and bring with them to the site.

In Christ,Steve Fruendt