New $100,000 Matching Fund Announced for Katrina Response from LCMS World Relief/Human Care
Feb. 23, 2006 - Orphan Grain Train has received a new $100,000 matching fund challenge from LCMS World Relief/Human Care for Hurricane Katrina relief. This is a new challenge fund for gifts received by Orphan Grain Train since February 10, 2006. The grant is to be used for human care projects in response to needs caused by Hurricane Katrina.
Each gift given for “Katrina Relief” will be matched dollar-for-dollar until the $100,000 challenge is met.
Orphan Grain Train plans to continue to assist the Gulf Coast church-based work and relief centers as it has since early September. However funds for this effort are depleting. New gifts are needed to continue this effort, the largest single relief project in Orphan Grain Train’s 14-year history.
Since Labor Day weekend, Orphan Grain Train has sent more than 100 semi-trailer loads of food, relief supplies, and special equipment to Gulf Coast relief centers. Orphan Grain Train uses “Katrina Relief” gifts to pay for the shipping costs of cleaning and rebuilding supplies. Katrina funds are also used to provide forklifts and Bobcat “skid loaders” to the relief camps for unloading semi-trucks. Many camps have also been supplied with 48-foot-long steel storage containers purchased by Orphan Grain Train, since the hurricane blew away most existing structures, or damaged them beyond repair.
Checks should be sent payable to: “Orphan Grain Train Katrina Relief Fund”, P. O. Box 1466, Norfolk, NE 68702-1466. On-line contributions may be made through PayPal.
Orphan Grain Train’s name and character are explained by the words of Christ recorded in the Gospel of John chapter 14, verse 18, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”