In September, we watched our television screens as Southeast Texas was once again inundated with torrential rains from yet another tropical storm. Tropical Depression Imelda struck Southeast Texas over several days during the week of Sept. 16 and dumped more than 43 inches of rain in some areas, leaving more 800 people in shelters throughout the region.
If you were like me, you were wondering what can Hermann Sons Life do to help these poor people?
Before the rain had even stopped, Vice President of Member Benefits Cecily Kelly had set in motion a plan to do just that.
It soon became evident that the Southeast Texas Food Bank was the place where we needed to concentrate our efforts. The food bank was among the first disaster relief organizations to respond.
It began its relief effort by supporting a shelter at the Beaumont Civic Center with food and water totaling more than 9,000 pounds.
After that, the food bank began supporting affected communities by bringing products to a centralized location and having residents drive through to receive food. To date more than 50,000 pounds of food and water have been distributed throughout Southeast Texas.
Donations are needed to replenish supplies so that the food bank and the food pantries and meal sites it works with can continue to meet everyday needs and respond to future disasters.
Lodges and individuals can make monetary donations that will be sent to the Southeast Texas Food Bank. This food bank is located in Beaumont and serves eight counties in the area where much of the flooding occurred. The Home Office will also make a donation.
Lodges and members can send donations to the Hermann Sons Life Home Office in care of Jacqueline Klein, P.O. Box 1941, San Antonio, TX 78297-1941. Make checks payable to Hermann Sons Life and note in the memo line that the donation is for Disaster Relief.
Deadline to make a donation is Nov. 1.
Like it has for more than 150 years, Hermann Sons Life members are there for each other and our neighbors. Please join me in lending a helping hand to our friends in the Beaumont area.