HPUMC steps up to help during severe winter weather
February 23, 2021
We had never experienced winter weather as severe and long-lasting as we did last week. Not just in our community, but in the entire state. However, when disasters strike, our church family can always be counted on to help — it’s a part of who we are.
It’s not too late to support our Disaster Response Fund!
HPUMC is partnering with Austin Street Center, Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, The City of Dallas, and Preston Hollow Catering to support our neighbors who have been and continue to be impacted by this extreme winter weather. If you would like to support our efforts to shelter and feed those affected, please consider making a gift to our Disaster Response Fund.
“It’s been a very trying week,” Rev. Paul Rasmussen said. “So many of you had problems with pipes and water, loss of electricity, or sleeping in the cold. The city has been ravaged, but this church really stepped up.”
Through Preston Hollow Catering, HPUMC distributed 3,900 meals to the Dallas Convention Center emergency shelter, Austin Street Shelter, and United to Learn warming centers. In partnership with Oak Lawn Methodist Church and Austin Street Shelter, we also donated $15,000 to fund a temporary shelter at the Dallas Convention Center.
Plus, members of our newest campus, Uptown Church, assembled and delivered snack bags to people sheltering at the Dallas Convention Center.
With many in our community without power or water, the Tolleson Family Activity Center was opened on Wednesday, February 17 as a warming center. We provided plenty of space, heat, water, and hospitality for those in need.
It wasn’t just individuals who were impacted though. Entire groups of people were affected by the loss of electricity, including Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, who were forced to relocate all of their clients. In response, HPUMC donated over $10,000 toward the installation of new generators, so the Women’s Shelter would be able to cope during a similar situation in the future.
Lisa Stewart, Director of HPUMC’s Impact Team, was amazed by the generosity shown by so many.
“Not only did our church family give over $136,000 in the last week alone to help those impacted,” she said, “but many congregants volunteered to deliver supplies, deliver meals, and help with home emergencies. It makes me so proud to be a part of a church that is living out the gospel in difficult times.”
And because connections are such an important part of who we are, HPUMC continued building and strengthening relationships during this difficult time.
Church members rallied a team to help make calls to over 700 of our seniors to check-in. This act of service allowed us to identify needs and match them with congregants who were in a position to help. We also connected congregants in need with those who could help, providing assistance to 12 families.
“We were able to meet not only the needs of the city, but the needs of our community of folks that were really struggling,” said Rev. Rasmussen. “Thank you for your extraordinary generosity.”