update on Texas wildfires

Following the extensive wildfires in the Texas Panhandle in late February, Week of Compassion has been in regular contact with our local churches and ecumenical partners in the area. Caroline Hamilton-Arnold, Associate Director for Domestic Disaster Response, notes that in local coordination calls, no material donations were being requested (mostly due to space limitations for sorting and storing donations).

​In addition to Solidarity Grants to the churches in the affected areas, Week of Compassion’s primary engagement will be in the rebuilding and long-term recovery.

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First Christian Church in Fritch had several members who lost their homes — we have provided solidarity grants for those households, and the church is helping meet additional needs. They also provided some community meals early on, assisted by a solidarity grant. We are in an assessment phase now. First Christian Stinnett is working through the local ministerial alliance to support affected households.

We anticipate significant clean-up and rebuild needs in the months ahead. As always, contributions designated “US Storms and Fires” will be used in their entirety for this ongoing response.