JACKSON, Miss. (Special) — Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief (MBDR) and X-tended Missions Network, Hernando, feeding team volunteers working from the kitchen of LaBelle Haven Church, Olive Branch, are now sending meals to nearby Marshall County to assist victims of the Jan. 31-Feb. 2 ice storm that rolled through the northern part of the county.
The volunteers had been stationed at LaBelle Haven Church to assist in feeding law enforcement teams and National Guard troops pre-positioned for possible activation if protests in Memphis turned violent after the alleged fatal beating of a man while in the custody of local police.
Headquarters for the Marshall County operation is located at Slayden Church, Slayden, from which the meals are being distributed, according to Hubert Yates, disaster relief director for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board in Jackson.
“On Feb. 4, 230 meals were served. On Feb. 5, 250 meals were served,” he said. “MBDR is prepping 200 meals for [Jan.6] distribution and we will evaluate for [Jan. 7] after completing distribution.”
Yates said he was informed that about 400 homes in the affected area remained without electrical service as of the morning of Jan. 6. “Power is being restored slowly to the Holly Springs Utility District, which covers major parts of Marshall and Benton Counties.
“Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has moved quickly to deploy supporting electrical cooperative manpower, and power is expected to be returned to most of the area by [the morning of Feb. 8].”
For general information about MBDR credentialing and volunteering, click here.
MBDR is supported by gifts to the Mississippi Cooperative Program, Margaret Lackey State Missions Offering, and donations from individuals.
Tax-deductible donations to assist MBDR are being accepted. At the present time, in-kind contributions such as clothing and furniture are not being accepted. Monetary gifts may be made by check, or electronically by clicking here.
Checks should be made payable to Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, with “Disaster Relief” designated on the memo line, and mailed to MBCB Business Office, P.O. Box 530, Jackson, MS 39205-0530.
