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Title: Lutherans Respond to Disasters ELCA NEWS SERVICE - NEWSBRIEF March 12, 1997 LUTHERANS RESPOND TO DISASTERS The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is responding to tornados, heavy rains and floods in Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio through Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Kansas-Oklahoma. Tornados in Arkansas have destroyed hundreds of homes and claimed more than 30 lives, reported the Rev. Leon A. Phillips Jr., director for Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) and ELCA Domestic Disaster Response. Eighteen other deaths and hundreds of injuries were reported in the surrounding states. Needs assessment is under way, with disaster response teams on site in Arkansas and Ohio, according to Phillips. LDR will respond in three ways: provide emergency grants to Lutheran families who lost their homes; support the Arkansas interfaith response; and provide resources for cleanup, emergency supplies, counseling, pastoral care and financial assistance to the most vulnerable. LDR a cooperative effort of the ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, has issued emergency grants totaling $24,500. LSS of Kansas-Oklahoma is managing this response for LDR. For information contact: Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html