Texas Hill Country Flooding: How to Help
- Mission Presbytery News
- Jul 9
- 4 min read
The horrific flooding in the midst of Mission Presbytery on July 4-5 has left us all wondering how we can help our siblings in need. We are in contact with our churches in the affected areas, our Disaster Preparedness and Assistance Task Force, and Kathy Lee-Cornell, the Director of Synod Partnership for Disaster Recovery, to make sure our efforts are coordinated.
We have been asked to emphasize that the Hill Country does NOT need us to come or send any in-kind or physical donations at this time. They are still in the midst of recovery efforts and are inundated with material goods that they do not currently have the means to store. But there is still much we can do.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance urges us to GIVE, ACT, and PRAY.
GIVE:
MONETARY DONATIONS:
As you are able, we encourage you to donate to one of these disaster relief funds:
Give to Mission Presbytery’s Disaster Relief Fund (enter amount in second box for disaster assistance): https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/Vanco_ver3.vps?appver3=wWsk24ZWJSTZKsGd1RMKlg0BDvsSG3VIWQCPJNNxD8upkiY7JlDavDsozUE7KG0nFx2NSo8LdUKGuGuF396vbcHLC_tIhjycwZYF973swKOXHubq5Z7ap5JVmPErc4ZeYHCKCZhESjGNQmZ5B-6dxz3uiOIWUfjHXvO3hJ5u5vs=&ver=3
Give to First Presbyterian Kerrville’s Flood Relief Fund (Select Flood Relief Fund):
Give to Mo-Ranch’s Flood Relief or Employee Assistance Fund (select Flood Relief or Employee Assistance Fund)
Give to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (indicate Texas Hill Country Flooding): https://pcusa.org/donate/dr000191-disaster-relief-us-flooding
GIFT CARDS:
We have also been informed that there is a significant need for physical gift cards to enable displaced and affected individuals to purchase necessities. Gift cards to HEB, Walmart, Home Depot, or gas stations can be sent to First Presbyterian Church (800 Jefferson Street, Kerrville, TX 78028) or the Salvation Army of Kerrville (address provided). Your church or community could host a gift card drive.
***NOTE*** Please be aware of scammers who may attempt to persuade you to purchase gift cards. Do not respond to individual requests for gift cards or click on unsolicited links. Please call the Presbytery office if you have any questions or are unsure. We are only collecting physical gift cards and will never ask you to email us the codes for gift cards.
ACT:
VOLUNTEER (in the future!)
We know there is a great desire to go and physically help our siblings with clean-up and recovery. Although that is not needed right now, we want to be prepared when the time comes. If you are interested in volunteering your time in the future, please complete this form with your contact information and skills, and we will contact you as the need arises.
MAKE CLEAN-UP BUCKETS and HYGIENE KITS:
One way we can serve is by purchasing and assembling supplies to aid in the cleanup. Many churches already have disaster supplies prepared. If you have hygiene kits and clean-up buckets already assembled and you have not been in contact with someone from the disaster preparedness task force, please email dpa@missionpby.org.
Supply lists and information about assembling buckets can be found here. There is a collection site in each region. If you deliver supplies to one of the sites, please email dpa@missionpby.org with the location and the number of kits so we can keep an accurate count.
PREPARE FOR FUTURE DISASTERS:
Create a personal or church disaster plan.
SEEK MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT WHEN NECESSARY
Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990 (Available 24/7)
Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.”
For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: Please text or call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 using your preferred Relay provider.
FOSTER ANIMALS:
Many animals from the affected areas have been relocated to shelters in our communities, which are currently at capacity. Contact your local animal shelters to see if you can foster animals who need a place to stay.
SUPPORT CHILDREN AND YOUTH:
The PCUSA's Office of Christian Formation has curated a list of resources to help children and youth process grief and natural disasters.
PRAY:
As we give and act, we will also continue to pray for everyone who has been impacted by the floods.
Good and Gracious God,
We come before you with humble hearts, overwhelmed by the catastrophic floods in parts of our Mission Presbytery and beyond.
We thank you for the lives saved in the midst of this devastation.
We grieve with those who have lost their loved ones. Comfort and console them, O God!
We pray for those who have lost their homes, businesses, and cherished belongings.
Hear our prayers, O Lord!
As the community prepares to rebuild, we pray for strength and resilience.
Grant us all a generous heart, so that we may rally the resources needed to rebuild our flooded communities.
We trust in your faithfulness, dear God, even in the midst of devastation.
Bless all who work for relief and restoration. And may your peace, which passes understanding, guard the hearts and minds of those who suffer.
May our response reflect your love for all people and all creation, and thus bring honor and glory to your holy name.
We pray all these in the name of Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord!
Amen!
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