The catastrophic flooding during April and May in the Mississippi River basin has affected multiple states and is expected to reach damages in the billions of dollars. Fourteen counties, shaping the entire western border of the state of Mississippi, were declared federal disaster areas by FEMA, and agricultural losses in that state alone could top $800 million.
In Natchez, the river reached its highest level ever, cresting nearly 14 feet above flood stage. Though people had time to prepare for evacuation from this disaster, thousands have lost everything and are returning to completely demolished homes and farms, without access to food or shelter.
Lifeshape Foundation is sending its mobile kitchen to Natchez for 10 days beginning Monday, June 13. The kitchen usually serves daily meals for IMPACT 360, a leadership program for 33 young adults in Pine Mountain, Georgia. IMPACT 360 alumni and staff, led by Project Coordinator Bill Bain, will partner with the Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief organization.
The IMPACT 360 team will work alongside Mississippi disaster relief volunteers to need locals who are returning to their homes to begin cleaning up the mess left from the muddy waters of the Mississippi River.
Physical, emotional and spiritual needs are widespread among these people who have lost everything, and opportunities for IMPACT 360 to live out its mission have never been greater.
The team will depart for Natchez, Mississippi on Sunday, June 12, and they will serve the first meal Monday night at 5 p.m. Follow this compassion project on the IMPACT 360 blog: https://www.impact360.net/blog/