Diocese Uses Grant to Help 77 Families Affected by Hurricane Dorian

Through a grant provided by Episcopal Relief & Development, the Diocese of South Carolina (The Episcopal Church in South Carolina), was able to provide Wal-Mart and Publix gift cards to 77 food-service workers in coastal South Carolina who were unable to work because of Hurricane Dorian. The Diocese of Georgia initiated the effort to apply for the grant with Episcopal Relief & Development, and invited our Diocese to apply as well. 

Individuals who received the assistance applied for the funds through The Giving Kitchen in Atlanta, GA, and funds were dispersed according to established need and proven loss of wages. Five churches in the Diocese assisted in distributing the gift cards from Hilton Head Island to North Myrtle Beach. Approximately $21,000 in gift cards was distributed to the 77 families who were deemed to be in need of assistance. 

Diocesan Ministry Developer Andrea McKellar was humbled by the gratitude of each recipient. "Each person who came to pick up a gift card was extremely thankful," said McKellar. "Many people expressed how they had found themselves unable to pay bills and afford basic needs after the storm, and this assistance truly helped them get on their feet again."

The remaining funds from the $25,000 grant were sent to the Diocese of Georgia to continuing assisting food service workers in their area who applied for help through an identical grant in their state. 

Episcopal Relief & Development’s US Disaster Program works in areas across the United States that have been affected by disasters such as hurricanes. The organization’s Disaster Preparedness Initiative equips Episcopal dioceses to prepare for and respond to crises. By offering resources and training and providing emergency support, the program helps vulnerable groups of people to make a full and sustained recovery and helps them to develop resiliency against future disasters. Many of the dioceses impacted by Hurricane Dorian have been working to develop this resilience and were ready to respond as needed.

​To learn more about building a Season of Resilience and to download disaster preparedness resources, visit episcopalrelief.org/resilience.

Donations to the Hurricane Relief Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development’s partners respond to the storm in the most efficient way possible. Many partners are not in a position to receive, store or distribute donations of physical goods or effectively use volunteer assistance at this time.