Recent severe weather left widespread damage to counties across Central Ohio. Perry, Muskingum and Licking counties, located east of Columbus, were the most affected in the diocese.
More than 500 households are estimated to be impacted by flooding in Perry and Muskingum counties. Damage assessments are underway in Licking County.
Families in the diocese are in need of support following storm damage. First responders and volunteers have worked to serve affected individuals. Several families lack permanent housing and need to rebuild, and many lost household appliances.
“We’re at the point in the relief effort where monetary giving is the biggest help that can be provided,” said Deacon Dave Bezusko, senior director for the diocese’s Vicariate for Catholic Social Doctrine. “There are families who lost everything and need help with deposit and first month’s rent to move into a permanent housing situation.
“Families who can stay in their homes need to replace furnaces, water heaters, washers and dryers, and other big-ticket items. Many need to replace cars so they can get back and forth to work.”
Faithful can offer support through the diocese’s Spirit of Hope disaster response fund, which was established last year and seeded with $75,000 from the diocese. Faithful are encouraged to give generously to the fund, created to provide care in the aftermath of natural or man-made disasters.
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Parishes throughout the diocese will take a special second collection at Masses the weekend of Aug. 29-30. An additional collection for the Spirit of Hope disaster response fund will be taken at Masses Sept. 12-13.
““A second collection will be taken up so that we, as a Church, can respond to the material and spiritual needs of people during this time of trial in their lives,” Bishop Earl Fernandes said. “Help us to offer them a word, a message, a presence of hope.”
Donations can be made any time online at Disaster Response – Catholic Diocese of Columbus.
All funds raised will be used by parishes in affected areas and organizations such as Catholic Social Services (CSS) and St. Vincent de Paul, which are serving in response to the recent storms and flooding.
Diocesan employees filled buckets with cleaning supplies during a packing event hosted by CSS Aug. 21. The organization has delivered food and supplies. CSS also plans to offer emergency financial assistance, which will be facilitated through parishes in affected areas.
Clergy have provided disaster spiritual care for victims at the three-county Multi-Agency Resource Center located in Roseville in Muskingum County.
“It’s heartbreaking, listening to survivors tell their stories and share their experiences,” Bezusko said.
“Imagine being awoken in the middle of the night by first responders pounding on your door, telling you that you have five minutes to collect what you can and get in their boat to escape rising floodwaters – or, five days later, being flooded out again by the second storm that came through, undoing all the clean-up you’d already done.”
Several diocesan parishes have lent support to affected individuals.
Buckeye Lake Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church served as a community shelter the week of Aug. 16 in anticipation of flooding. The American Red Cross managed the shelter. Existing parish disaster response teams at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Newark St. Francis de Sales Church provided staffing and meals to first responders.
In Corning, located in Perry County, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference provided food, supplies and clothing.
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The diocese offered support to Zanesville St. Thomas Church, which experienced flooding in the church basement. Individuals who serve on parish staff were also affected by floods in the area.
The diocesan disaster response determined that material donations, including food, clothing and cleaning supplies, are not needed at this time. The diocese’s response remains focused on providing support for long-term needs should they arise.