Oklahoma faith groups to help in Ida aftermath
Several Oklahoma faith groups are headed to Louisiana to provide aid to victims of Hurricane Ida.
Representatives of Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief and The Salvation Army of Arkansas and Oklahoma said the organizations will be providing disaster relief to those affected by the storm.
Don Williams, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief director, said one of the group’s disaster relief teams traveled Monday to Louisiana.
He said the volunteer disaster relief team planned to stay in Shreveport overnight before heading to where they will ultimately be stationed.
“Oklahoma Baptist DR volunteers have been trained and prepared to serve those affected by this hurricane,” Williams said. “We praise the Lord that we are able to serve Him and share Christ to those who need to hear the Gospel.”
He added that the Oklahoma Baptists will be providing a large food kitchen to serve those affected by the storm.
The Salvation Army of Arkansas and Oklahoma also is helping with food by deploying multiple mobile feeding units and crews to offer assistance. These Oklahoma Salvation Army crews include those from Central Oklahoma Area Command, Enid, Ardmore, Lawton, Altus, Chickasha and Tulsa.
A Salvation Army spokeswoman said the faith-based nonprofit already works in many of the affected communities each day. She said water, cleanup kits, food and shelter supplies are being prepared to be sent to Louisiana storm victims.
“We received the request to support our neighbors to the south on Saturday morning,” said Laurie Fried, The Salvation Army Arkansas-Oklahoma Division’s director of emergency disaster services.
“Within a few hours, we had identified resources and personnel that were willing to go serve on the front lines of those affected by this devastating hurricane. While we never wish to get that call, it is our honor to be able to serve, and we are grateful to those that are deploying to serve in this capacity.”