Local

Relief headed to Hurricane Sandy victims from GA

The relief effort for victims of Hurricane Sandy is staggering, and one local charity is right in the middle of that task.

"This is definitely going to be a pretty big response," says Mike Ebert, vice-president of communications for the North American Mission Board, "probably along the lines of Katrina."

The NAMB is based in Alpharetta, but coordinates relief efforts from it's members across the country.

"We have more than 1500 disaster relief units and more than 82,000 trained volunteers," says Ebert.

For Sandy relief the NAMB is responsible for providing mobile kitchens to the storm battered area, providing hot meals to victims and first responders.  To do so takes a mobilization effort almost as large as the hurricane.

"Every one of our mobile kitchens east of the Mississippi is on alert, ready to move," Ebert tells WSB.  "They'll be deployed across a 13 state area."

Since each of the mobile units carries one days worth of food, the NAMB needs help from the public.  Not in the form of food donations, but cash.

"After the food runs out, if we can't get it from another charity, like the Red Cross, then we have to go out and buy it from a big food supplier," says Ebert.  "That means we're buying food by the semi full."

The NAMB is also transporting roof tarps, plywood and water to the hurricane area.  All of those items also require cash.

"We work closely with FEMA, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and local agencies to determine what is needed and where we need to place our volunteers," Ebert says.

To donate to the disaster relief effort, go to the North American Mission Board's website at www.namb.net.  Or call 1-866-407-6262.

"Every donation is appreciated," Ebert says.  "This is going to be a very long and expensive response."

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