DONATIONS SOUGHT FOR BALTIMORE

Baltimore-Washington Conference leaders have announced a missional response to the riot and other unrest affecting the residents of Baltimore. Health and hygiene items are being collected immediately and will be distributed at three Baltimore churches this weekend.

Following the destruction of the CVS pharmacy on the corner of West North and Pennsylvania avenues, and the temporary closing of other CVS stores in parts of the city, many residents in these neighborhood have no place to get basic hygiene items. BWC leaders, in partnership with local churches, are collecting health kits.

These kits include a hand towel, washcloth, nail file or nail clippers, bath-size soap, toothbrush, six adhesive bandages, 1 gallon-size sealable plastic bag, and toothpaste.

The specific instructions for packing a United Methodist Committee on Relief Health Care kit are at  https://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Relief-Supplies/Relief-Supply-Kits/Health.

However, in this instance, conference leaders are requesting that combs not be included and other items like deodorants and other non-drug staples that might ordinarily be bought at  a drug store be added.

Items for the care of babies, like diapers, are also being sought. (See UMCOR Layette Kit at http://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Relief-Supplies/Relief-Supply-Kits/Layette).

The supplies are being collected and distributed at:

• Metropolitan UMC, 1121 W. Lanvale Street in Baltimore,  410-523-1366;
• Ames UMC, 615 Baker Street in Baltimore, 410-523-5556; and
• John Wesley UMC, 3202 North Avenue in Baltimore, 410-383-1525.

Director of Connectional Ministries Sandra Ferguson reports that the conference has requested and will receive immediately 1,000 health care kits and 500 layette sets from UMCOR for immediate distribution.

Monetary contributions to help in ongoing ministries in Baltimore are being collected on the conference website, http://www.bwcumc.org/machform/view.php?id=29232.

The Rev. Joan Carter Rimbach, the conference UM-VIM coordinator, will be overseeing this missional response. Contact her at 410-206-8737.