October 2005 - View from south parking lot of Bethel Lutheran Church, Biloxi MS. Truck (borrowed from father-in-law and driven some 2800 miles one-way) carries a couple of dozen gallons of laundry detergent purchased at a local big-box store. Last fall, Bethel Lutheran hosted a Food Distribution Center in the church's fellowship hall, and laundry detergent was one item which every visitor to the food bank seemed to need. When I wasn't otherwise occupied, I would drive up the street and buy (with money donated by members of Cross and Crown Lutheran Church) a couple of shopping carts full of detergent, mops, buckets, and such. During my time there, we thus bought a few shy of 200 gallons of laundry detergent.

Now, as we prepare to head to Biloxi to work, the Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) Food Distribution Center has been moved up Pass Road to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, and I am told that the most-needed items these days include building materials and medications. Thanks to the continuing generosity of the people of Cross and Crown, along with family and friends, we will have some funds available to try to help to meet those most immediate needs once again. -Pastor Glen