Diocese of San Joaquin Seeks Disaster Relief Funds
This past winter’s freezing temperatures that devastated California’s citrus crops impacted thousands of families in the Network Diocese of San Joaquin. The loss of jobs has created severe financial needs for those whose livelihoods are connected with the citrus industry. Crop losses are estimated at $1.3 billion. Although President George Bush issued a disaster declaration for several California counties and federal money has been approved for relief efforts, many churches find themselves in the position of trying to fill in the financial gaps for needy people.
“Just as with hurricanes Katrina and Rita, whenever there is a major disaster that affects thousands of people, we as the Body of Christ are called to do whatever we can to serve those who come to us for assistance, despite what the government does or doesn’t do,” said the Rt. Rev. John David Schofield, bishop of the Network Diocese of San Joaquin. “The effects of these natural disasters last long after the media has stopped reporting the story. We want to meet the needs of the families in our diocese who come to us for help now and in the months to come.”
“A lot of affected workers don’t know where to go for help, so the county is enlisting cities and community organizations to get the word out,” Steve Rodriquez, Fresno County’s deputy director of the Department of Employment and Temporary Assistance, told the Fresno Bee newspaper. Some workers don’t have a means of transportation to get them to the nearest relief distribution center. Parishes in the Diocese of San Joaquin hope to offer assistance to families in ways that will help the government’s relief plans to be as effective as possible.
“The weather is warmer now, but the damage has been done. Not only has a crop been lost, but many orchards may not bear for years. Thousands of citrus workers have lost their jobs. Food banks are overwhelmed. The state and federal governments have provided relief funding to local agencies, but the Diocese of San Joaquin needs financial assistance to meet the needs of hundreds who are turning to them for help,” said the Rev. Canon Daryl Fenton, Chief Operating Officer for the Anglican Communion Network. “We call on all those in the Network who can to help in this relief effort.”
Those wishing to donate to the citrus-freeze relief efforts through the diocese of San Joaquin can send checks made out to the Anglican Communion Network to 535 Smithfield Street, Suite 910, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 with “San Joaquin relief” in the memo line.
Posted 3/27/07