One year ago, your faithful compassion opened a new chapter for Lutheran World Relief: expanding our beloved Quilt & Kit Ministry to serve neighbors in crisis here in the United States.
Mere weeks later, the one-two punch of Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated communities across the Southeast.
Throughout the region, lives and homes were destroyed in an instant.
Because of your divinely timed love, 10 shipping containers of Lutheran World Relief Quilts & Kits were en route before the hurricanes even hit land. These shipments — carrying more than 60,000 handmade quilts and 76,000 kits — arrived in hardest-hit areas across Florida, North Carolina, Mississippi and Tennessee in record time.
The quilts were not only warm but beautifully made. The quality was amazing, and it felt like a gift of love in every stitch.
Your compassion in action
Because of you, families reeling from the storms received immediate support. Your gifts provided a lifeline across the six most heavily affected states:
Florida: Bottled water, LWR Quilts & Kits, hot meals, household items, housing repairs and cash gift cards
Georgia: Hot meals, household essentials, building supplies and housing repairs
North Carolina: Hot meals, LWR Quilts & Kits, bottled water, cash cards, household necessities, clothing, hygiene items, tarps and cleanup kits
South Carolina: Hot meals, bottled water, cash cards, clothing, hygiene items, tarps and clean up kits
Tennessee: Hot meals, LWR Quilts & Kits, bottled water, cleanup kits, cash cards, household essentials, building supplies and housing repairs
Virginia: Hot meals, bottled water, cash cards, clothing, hygiene items, tarps and cleanup kits
When neighbors in Florida were devastated by consecutive hurricanes, your love reminded them they were not alone. Pictured here: Lutheran partners in Florida ready to distribute quilts and kits on your behalf.
To date, your compassion has provided more than $1 million in grants to local relief organizations that are based in affected communities.
These trusted partners bulk purchase relief items such as bottled water and cleaning supplies locally and distribute them to families in need.
They also provide direct cash assistance, because cash allows families to purchase whatever supplies they need most — usually including food, gas, rideshares, clothing, diapers and medicine.
In addition to providing physical relief for our suffering neighbors through quilts, kits and cash grants, you have supported programming with local partners. These programs create safety nets for the most vulnerable —the unhoused, veterans, children in low-income settings and the elderly — ensuring that the road to recovery isn’t an impossible feat.
Weaving a network of hope
While the hurricanes leveled entire communities in a matter of minutes, it often takes years to rebuild. Your kindness accompanies our neighbors for the long-term, building capacity and resilience to be better prepared for future uncertainties.
In the immediate aftermath of the storms, Western North Carolina found itself overwhelmed by tragedy AND inundated by support. People were searching for help, but phones and internet weren't working.
In the midst of recovering themselves, local leaders and volunteers knew they needed to work together.
With your support, the Faith360 Network was launched, a hub that now connects over 300 congregations and 6,000 volunteers. As one leader described it, they are “connecting dots, uniting friendships.” The result is a coordinated, emboldened and compassionate response that as its director Pastor Erin Burleson says, is “helping the community heal, not just recover — through our churches, in our churches!”
Faith360 leaders Erin Burleson (left) and Doreen Garris comfort each other after an event for faith leaders who have supported those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The road ahead: Your help is still needed
While much progress has been made, the journey to recovery is far from over. Families are still struggling with lost livelihoods, and housing remains the No. 1 need.
Your continued partnership is vital in supporting those neighbors facing these immense challenges as well as to help prepare communities become more resilient and prepared for future events.
A residence for veterans in North Carolina was destroyed by the hurricanes.
Thank you for a year of unwavering compassion. Your impact has been profound on our neighbors suffering the most. And yet, the continued needs are profound as well.
Please consider a gift today to help families continue to rebuild their lives. Your prayers and generosity bring hope and healing to communities that still need you.