Presbyterians pitching in

HARLINGEN - About 21 Rio Grande Valley Presbyterian churches will join Loaves & Fishes to provide relief to Hurricane Dolly victims.

Loaves & Fishes Executive Director Dean Hall said that as emergency relief efforts from organizations such as the Red Cross, end, people affected by Dolly will need long-term relief.

Members of Presbyterian churches across the Valley and Loaves & Fishes will work with shelters set up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine needs, Hall said.

Charlie Palmer, pastor at Treasure Hills Presbyterian Church, said although churches are assessing damages to their properties, church members felt there were people with greater needs.

The organizations will only provide assistance to people referred to them by FEMA, Hall said.

"Church is not a building. Church is the people and as Christians we need to reach out to help people," said Juanita Casanova from Iglesia Getsemani in San Benito.

National Presbyterian Churches gave local Presbyterian churches $10,000 to help families in the Valley, Palmer said.

Hall said they expect to be able to help 200 families.

Tom Brownmiller of the First Presbyterian Church in McAllen is part of the disaster response team for Presbyterian churches in the Valley.

He said the national Presbyterian board has authorized local churches to take up a collection to benefit hurricane victims.

Brownmiller also said it could take about a year for affected families to fully recover.

Pastor Tom Johnson of Iglesia Getsemani said the plan is to help in a long-term capacity.

"After all the emergency help leaves, sometimes it leaves people in a deeper hole," Johnson said. "This will be a step-by-step progress so that people that are really hurting will get the help they need."

Brownmiller said it is possible that the national board of Presbyterian churches could send additional funds if deemed necessary to help more hurricane victims after the $10,000 is spent.
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TO HELP
Persons interested in donating items such as bedding, clothing, food or appliances to Loaves & Fishes can contact the shelter at 956-423-1014 or 956-423-1444.