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