TBF visit the Red Cross to help prepare and deliver food daily to Flood Areas
We went on location to where the Red Cross was preparing food and shelter for flood victims. While FEMA task is to help with compensation – people had to have proofs, but Red Cross will help people regardless of proof. Considered as a mission, volunteers must search for news in affected places. Beside the shelter and hotels where refugees gather in crowded places, we deliver food to areas without power where people are unable to cook.
Even with all the calamity, the Baptist Church volunteers were able to all travel every where to deliver food daily. The cost of buying food was paid for by the Red Cross. We were amazed that most of the people who helped cook the food were the elderly. Possibly because they are retire and therefore have more time. Their enthusiasm and spirit of service were very high. Everyday they cook 2 meals – lunch and dinner.
Red Cross’s Emergency Response Vehicle (ER Vehicle) vehicles are everywhere to distribute food. This time we follow the food delivery team at Cape Fear River in Pender County, North Carolina. This is the second time they have to move through the highlands. This is a newly isolated area over the past few days and because of the overloaded rivers, some families refused to evacuate. The road was stopped by the police and they only allowed police and Red Cross cars to pass. The vehicle had to stop when it there is high water, do not attempt to cross it. Our vehicle stop for food preparation and asked people with big trucks to help transfer food. The previous day, a pastor used a boat to transfer food to 70 people in the flooded area.
The water rise and fall every day, dead fish appear everywhere around the river, on asphalt, sewer pipes … the odor was very strong. The experience was unforgettable for the volunteers and felt the sincere effort of so many people to bring peace and share with flood victims …
Much appreciation to everyone and thanks to the contribution of so many benefactors, the volunteers of many charity groups in easing hardship of those affected.
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