News
Catholics mobilize to give relief from tornadoes, flooding
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri to provide long-term recovery services
JEFFERSON CITY — Catholics throughout the 38 counties of the Diocese of Jefferson City are mobilizing to help their neighbors who are being impacted by the recent tornadoes and ongoing flooding in the region.
In the last few days tornadoes have hit Cole, Hickory, Miller and Randolph counties, all within the Diocese’s boundaries. Counties in the Diocese impacted by flooding including Boone, Callaway, Camden, Clark, Cole, Gasconade, Lewis, Maries, Marion, Miller, Moniteau, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Osage, Pettis, Phelps, Perry, Pike, Ralls, Randolph and Saline.
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, an agency of the Diocese, is working with other agencies to ensure a coordinated and integrated network of support is provided to those affected. This is being coordinated by United Way.
Local Catholic groups, such as the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Societies, Catholic school students and others, are working alongside their neighbors to provide immediate assistance to those whose lives have been upended, as well as providing support to first responders and others who are assisting in clearing debris, sandbagging, etc.
As it did in response to the 2017 floods, Catholic Charities is putting in place a process to assist those who have a very fragile safety net: people without insurance, who are not homeowners, on limited income, with disabilities, or whose livelihood has been impacted by the natural disaster.
Donations are being accepted now to support this long term recovery effort. Every dollar given to the Catholic Charities Disaster Relief Fund will be used for direct assistance of people affected by the flooding and tornadoes. Donations are being accepted online at diojeffcity.org or at cccnmo.org. Checks may also be sent to Catholic Charities of Central and Northern MIssouri, P. O. Box 104626, Jefferson City, MO 65110.
The Diocese of Jefferson City includes 38 counties in central and northeastern Missouri. Approximately 82,000 Catholics live in the Diocese, worshiping and serving in 95 parishes.