Disaster Response Services

Marge is an 80 year old widow with a disabled, adult son. When four feet of flood water went through Marge's home, they lost everything. Not knowing where to turn, Marge paid a company to repair her home. Unfortunately the company did not adequately repair the house, leaving it still uninhabitable. Marge was left paying the mortgage on the flooded home and rent for an apartment while her home was being repaired. With nowhere else to turn, she applied to a governmental rental assistance program four times but received no aid.

With the guidance of a LSS Community Response staff member, Marge was able to file an appeal with the rental assistance program and soon received support. Meanwhile, LSS, along with other local organizations, rebuilt Marge’s home and furnished it. Without the aid of LSS, Marge would not be comfortably settled back in her home.

Disaster Response

Disaster Response Services

Through the Disaster Response Services program, Lutheran Social Services (LSS) serves people in 24 Appalachian counties who are in a crisis, such as domestic violence or unemployment. Disaster Response Services provides a variety of programs including servant events, distribution centers and dental health education. In addition, Disaster Response Services provides disaster response coordination and disaster preparedness training in the state of Ohio and surrounding areas.

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Heavenly Treasures Gift and Collectible Shop
The gift shop, located in the Caldwell Distribution Center, was established to support Disaster Response Services programming with all proceeds from the sale of gift shop items, such as quilts, glassware, antiques and furniture, going to support the program. Donations of antiques, furniture and other items are needed to sell in the shop.

Disaster Preparedness Training

When disaster strikes, there are three stages of response: first response, emergency relief and long-term recovery. LSS provides disaster response coordination during all of these phases by making available case management services, volunteer coordination and donations management. Much of this is accomplished through volunteers. LSS offers two levels of training to assist volunteers, congregations and faith-based organizations in responding to disasters locally or nationally.

Level One is an overview of disaster response and will assist participants in identifying areas of strength during times of disaster.
Level Two consists of training modules specific to case management volunteers, volunteer coordination, donations management, spiritual care, capacity building and ecumenical partnerships.

Participants will receive a certificate and be registered as a volunteer in the disaster response database. To schedule a disaster preparedness training, please call (740) 732-6700.

Ways You Can Help

Servant Events
Disaster Response Services coordinates community outreach efforts known as servant events to renovate or rebuild homes for those affected by natural or human-caused disasters. Servant events also assist with home repairs, yard work and demolition. Those assisted include low-income families, the elderly and disabled.

Volunteer
Volunteers are needed at the distribution centers, for servant events and during times of disaster. Organizations and church groups are welcome.

Donate
Monetary and in-kind donations are needed. Donations of furniture, appliances, household items, clothing and cleaning supplies are appreciated. Churches, please consider putting Community Response in your annual budget.

Collection Days
Congregations can collect needed items on a specific date or timeframe for delivery at one of Disaster Response Service's distribution centers.

For more information, contact:
LSS Disaster Response Services
810 Main St.
Caldwell, OH 43724
(740) 732-6700
or email: mwoodward@lssco.org

Send all monetary donations to:
Lutheran Social Services Development Dept.
500 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Ste. 245
Worthington, Ohio 43085
Please put “Disaster Response Services” on the memo line.