Convoy of Hope Continues to Resource Area Shelters/EOCs as Thousands Remain Without Power
Springfield, Mo. - Though Convoy of Hope is often found responding to needs in remote corners of the world, the international compassion organization’s attention and resources have recently been devoted to its neighbors in the Midwest. The organization has provided more than 176,000 lbs. of its own supplies of water, non-perishable food and personal hygiene kits to Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), shelters, Fire Stations, and other safe harbors throughout the greater Ozarks region, to help relieve victims of the destructive winter weather.
As the donations management site for Springfield/Greene County, the organization has received, staged, and distributed an additional 114,000 pounds of government-provided relief supplies throughout Greene County.
The unprecedented ice storms handicapped the Midwest and left it a Federally Declared disaster area. Thousands were left without power and to their own devices in the face of dropping temperatures. While simultaneously dealing with damage and lack of power to their own homes, Convoy of Hope workers quickly mobilized to provide resources for local shelters and emergency centers, where thousands of people sought shelter from the freezing cold.
Resourced by Convoy of Hope, the Willard EOC and shelter has provided three meals a day and a warm place to sleep for local residents. Willard Emergency Management Director Donna Gordon reports that as of Thursday the shelter was still serving approximately 70 people, including workers and National Guardsman, at each meal. “It’s good to know that all we have to do is call,” Gordon said of Convoy of Hope’s quick response.
Southgate Baptist Church also established a shelter in their building. Sherie Cooke, an administrative assistant at the church, said that initially the staff wondered if they would have the resources to host a shelter, but she encouraged them to open their doors to those in need, saying, “If we’re supposed to do this God will provide.”
Soon after Cooke’s statement made in faith, Convoy of Hope arrived with food supplies to help the church continue to offer breakfast, lunch and dinner to those seeking a warm meal. Cooke called the help from Convoy of Hope a “godsend” to the 60 to 100 people the church is serving each day.
As the weekend approaches with 4-6” of snow predicted, shelter directors are hoping for the best, but planning for the worst. A quarter of the shelters working with Convoy of Hope report that they will continue the service indefinitely. Convoy of Hope is committed to helping resource these facilities as long as there is a need as a result of this brutal winter weather.
For more information:
Jeff Nene, Media and Communications Director, 417/860-2196 mobile
Kristin Kubitschek, Public Relations Director, 417/894-9084 mobile