Following the devastating tornado on May 16 that struck St. Louis, local churches and faith leaders have been stepping up their efforts to aid the community in its time of need. STL churches, in coordination with the Urban League, have distributed grilling kits to over 300 neighborhood churches to foster community and aid in rebuilding efforts, as reported by FOX 2 Now. The Urban League will be hosting a sizeable tornado relief distribution event to provide food, toiletries, and other resources to victims.
Additionally, Catholic organizations have been actively reaching out to victims offering sustenance, water, shelter, and clothing. Father Dan Thiess, chaplain for the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, quoted St. Vincent saying, "Go to the poor, and there you will find God," in a statement obtained by St. Louis Review. He has been delivering various resources collected, including food and personal care items, to distribution sites serving between 300 to 500 people a day.
The relief efforts are also seen at the individual neighborhood level, where Bishop Michael Robinson of Hope Nation International Church set up a food distribution site mere hours after the tornado hit. He chose a location near an apartment building that had sustained damage, ensuring that those displaced could find some respite and nourishment. Robinson described his outreach, saying, "I just want to be a place of peace for just a little bit, where they can come and they don't have to worry about what they're going to eat," according to an interview with St. Louis Review.
While community efforts provide immediate comfort, residents like Shahieda Hudson, who lives in the Wells Goodfellow neighborhood, await federal aid. Hudson's home suffered damage though thankfully power loss was minimal. However, the same could not be said for her neighbors and relatives, who are now looking to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency individual aid for property repairs and other costs. "St. Louis residents want quick federal tornado relief," and are concerned about the timing of its arrival, according to a report by St. Louis Public Radio.
