Sarasota congregations need to continue collecting food items. Volunteers ran out of canned vegetables yesterday evening at Trinity United Methodist Church in Arcadia.

Numerous sites in the DeSoto/Hardee areas are distributing food...while it may seem to others that everything is going to Arcadia we are diverting and sharing with other locations.  

Volunteers need to begin contacting Rafe Vigil at First United Methodist Church, Palmetto, and Guy Weatherly at Braden River United Methodist Church. They will be coordinating volunteer work teams with me.   Also, the conference’s response center is now online at 1800-282-8011, extension 149, and will be coordinating volunteer work teams, especially groups from out of the area or state wanting a project and/or place to go.

Pastors in the areas are beginning to target specific areas (addresses/streets/projects) to help facilitate volunteers.

Today more than 1,000 meals were furnished. Approximately 400 meals were packed and delivered door to door in Ona. Another 150 meals were delivered to migrant workers in the fields. The rest of the meals were served in the fellowship hall.

Vanloads of supplies are delivered from Bradenton and Sarasota throughout the day and delivered to needy families in Myakka City and some of the surrounding areas.

There is a steady stream of volunteers from area United Methodist churches and sister churches that make all this possible. People of Myakka City consider themselves most blessed they experienced no loss of life. They feel honored to serve their community and share the love of Jesus Christ.