Hannibal, Mo. | As a Southern Baptist university in Missouri prepared to welcome back students this fall, the school got an assist from Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief (IBDR) volunteers, who provided disinfectant, soap, laundry supplies, and 6,000 face masks.
“They were extremely grateful and said the disinfectant would be a great help as they prepare to return to school in the fall,” Disaster Relief leader Sharon Carty reported after the delivery to Hannibal-LaGrange University. She added that IBDR has resources available for churches and ministries navigating the current phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, including masks, disinfectant, AA batteries, and access to filled backpacks and hygiene kits.
“We have had a number of churches get supplies already, and thank our Lord for supplying this ministry to us,” said Carty, a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Carlinville.
The delivery to Hannibal-LaGrange is one of several similar outreaches IBDR volunteers have undertaken during what would usually be their busiest season. But in 2020, instead of primarily helping families recover from storms and flooding, volunteers are delivering supplies to help churches reopen, and help vulnerable people in their communities.
In Rantoul, volunteers Kent and Susan Plackett delivered diapers and frozen meals to a ministry caring for a community hard-hit by COVID-19. Their church, First Baptist in Tolono, took up a special offering after IBDR leaders shared the needs in Rantoul. In addition to the supplies, the church made a donation to a local food bank.
In late June, IBDR volunteers delivered 1,800 boxes of meals from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to 16 senior centers in southern Illinois. Disaster Relief leader John Lindeman said IBDR volunteers worked with two other relief agencies to make the deliveries to communities including Effingham, Cairo, Ridgway, and Carbondale.
“We appreciate the opportunity to serve,” said Lindeman, a member of Cornerstone Church in Marion. “Praise the Lord.”
Photo at top: Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers delivered shipments of FEMA meals to senior centers in southern Illinois.