Hurricane Relief Fund

by General Presbyter Melana Scruggs

Hurricane season is finally over and we can relax for a little while. Over the course of this hurricane season, we have received three Immediate Needs grants from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). One each for TS Debby, Hurricane Helene, and Hurricane Milton. Those grants are for community support and the funds went to agencies that help house those who have lost their homes in a disaster.

We have been approved for a Church Damage Grant from PDA. This grant provides up to $5,000 per church with a maximum of $25,000 for the presbytery, over the course of a hurricane season. We requested the full $25,000 and will be able to share that with five churches that expressed significant need. Siesta Key Chapel was flooded by Helene and then had significant wind damage from Milton. The same was true for Christ Church in Longboat Key. First Sarasota had damage to a large portion of their roof, causing leaks into classrooms. Trinity Venice had significant wind damage from Milton, including roof damage. Bee Ridge lost three large windows in the sanctuary from the winds of Milton and had several massive trees down, one that missed the little white church by inches. We are grateful the damage was not worse and give thanks for the connectional nature of the church that provides these grants.

We are also grateful to the churches who have given generously to the 2024 hurricane fund for Peace River Presbytery. We have about $40,000 given by congregations for recovery from the hurricanes. If your church needs assistance, please use this form to apply for funds. We already have four congregations that have requested grant funds.