Grants support DR community development, Katrina relief.

Four grants totaling $95,000 are supporting community development in the Dominican Republic and continuing relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina. The grants have been given by two funds of the Church of the Brethren General Board: the Global Food Crisis Fund and the Emergency Disaster Fund.

An allocation of $30,000 from the Global Food Crisis Fund will fund the Church of the Brethren’s Community Development Program in the Dominican Republic for the year 2007.

Three grants from the Emergency Disaster Fund continue support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts: $25,000 continues to fund the work of rebuilding by Brethren Disaster Ministries in Pearl River, La., and will be used specifically for tools and materials and to feed, house, transport, and support volunteers; $17,000 continues funding for a rebuilding site in McComb, Miss., providing travel expenses, leadership training, tools, and equipment; $23,000 continues to fund the Children’s Disaster Services Program in New Orleans, providing child care assistance at the request of FEMA, and supporting volunteer travel, food, housing, and training.

In other disaster relief news, the Katrina rebuilding projects are calling for volunteers. "As we approach the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, literally thousands of Louisiana residents still await assistance," said an announcement from Brethren Disaster Ministries. The ministry is particularly calling for more volunteers to work at two rebuilding sites in Louisiana: Pearl River and Chalmette. There are three "open" weeks when volunteers are needed: Aug. 26-Sept. 1 in Pearl River, and Aug. 19-25 and Sept. 2-8 in Chalmette. Volunteers are invited to call their district disaster coordinator, or to contact Brethren Disaster Ministries at 800-451-4407.

Brethren Disaster Ministries also has received a request from Church World Service (CWS) for donations of School Kits. "We're approaching an excellent time of year when components are often on sale as students head back to school," said CWS. The kits are stored at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., and shipped to disaster sites in the US and around the world. CWS has announced some revisions to the list of supplies for the kits, go to www.churchworldservice.org/kits/school-kits.html for the updated list and shipping instructions.

Source: 8/1/2007 Newsline