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500th Semi-truck-load of Relief Sent in July 2001
(August 10, 2001) - Orphan Grain Train, an international, Christian, humanitarian relief organization headquartered in Norfolk, Neb., announced today that it shipped its 500th semi-truck-load of humanitarian aid during the month of July.
Organized in May 1992, Orphan Grain Train shipped its first semi-truck-load overseas to Riga, Latvia in April 1993. The 500th shipment, weighing over 15,000 lbs., was sent on July 17 from Westfield, Wisconsin, to Christo El Salvador Lutheran Church at Del Rio, Texas. Pastor Gary Martin at Del Rio said the shipment included clothes, blankets, shoes, bicycles, soap and 150 church chairs which were “in great condition!” Orphan Grain Train has sent 17 semi-truck-loads of supplies and relief goods to this mission on the Mexican border in the past three years.
Orphan Grain Train’s 12 regional divisions have sent 504 semi-truck-loads worldwide through July 2001. This is more than 15,000,000 pounds of supplies for destitute people in the United States and around the world.
Orphan Grain Train is a “hands-on,” humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization. It is a national network, with regional divisions across the United States, providing necessary help in response to requests for food and clothing, medical supplies, and Christian literature. It was created in 1992 in response to appeals from people in the formerly Communist countries of the Soviet Union.
Soon after its beginnings, Orphan Grain Train became a project of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League (Lutheran Hour Ministries) of St. Louis Missouri. Since June 2000, it has continued to work as a partner organization of Lutheran Hour Ministries, but is now governed by its own Board of Directors.
Most of Orphan Grain Train’s semi-trailer-loads are packed and shipped by volunteers in Norfolk, Neb., Westfield, Wisc., Ida Grove, Iowa, Albany, New York and Bottineau, North Dakota.
New regional satellite divisions are being organized in St. Louis, Missouri, and Los Angeles, California. Meanwhile, volunteers in the Seymour, Indiana area, are increasing their fundraising efforts so that humanitarian shipments can be sent directly from that location also.
Orphan Grain Train’s shipping expenses average $7 to ship one apple-box of relief supplies where most needed.
Orphan Grain Train has also sent disaster aid to victims of hurricanes, floods, drought, and tornadoes in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida, Montana, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Orphan Grain Train’s foreign relief efforts are in cooperation with Lutheran Hour Ministries and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Board for Missions, both of St. Louis, Mo. In the United States, Orphan Grain Train also works with Lutheran Disaster Response and the American Red Cross in response to domestic disasters.
Orphan Grain Train’s name and character are explained by the words of Christ recorded in John 14:18: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”