Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting people in East Tennessee and Central Florida after Helene and Milton

Episcopal Relief & Development is working with the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida and the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee to support people affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

In Eastern Tennessee, devastating flooding swept unhoused people’s belongings away and severely damaged under-resourced neighborhoods. The Diocese of East Tennessee is working with Episcopal Relief & Development to support survivors to purchase gas, food and urgent supplies. To address individual needs, the diocese is setting up distribution centers at churches closely located to the hardest hit areas.

In Central Florida, immigrants, refugees, daily wage earners and low income households were impacted by Helene and subsequently Milton. The Diocese of Central Florida is providing hot meals and helping people buy groceries in the aftermath of the storms.

“In parts of Tennessee and Florida, Helene and Milton affected people who live in places that have less resources to help them respond, which exacerbates its impact, and necessitates our response even more,” said Lura Steele, Program Officer, Disaster Risk and Resilience, Episcopal Relief & Development. “Our hearts are with them and Episcopal Relief & Development will continue supporting them in their recovery and resilience.”

Please pray for the people affected by hurricanes, including Helene and Milton. Support to the Hurricane Relief Fund will help survivors to restart their lives with dignity and agency.