Relief Agency Distributes Funds for Further Sept. 11 Response

October 28, 2002

STAMFORD, Conn. – The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has approved a $973,192 grant to allow the denomination's Virginia Annual (regional) Conference to further address the needs of those affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

That action came during the Oct. 21-24 meeting of the denomination's Board of Global Ministries. UMCOR directors are continuing to distribute money contributed to its "Love in the Midst of Tragedy" fund, which was established by the denomination in response to terrorist attacks. A total of $2,087,892 was allocated at the October meeting.

The three-year plan developed by the Northern Virginia Board of Missions, covering the Alexandria and Arlington districts, will target secondary victims of the attack on the Pentagon. Those victims include immigrants, the marginally employed and tourist workers along the Route One Corridor. Programs supported by the grant will include direct aid, counseling, job training, legal services and children's ministries.

UMCOR directors also approved additional grants for Sept. 11 response in the New York area, including:

• An additional $500,000 to the New York Conference for local church programs initiated in response to the disaster.

• One year of funding, at $145,000, for staff support in the New York Conference disaster response office.

• Assistance with food purchases and salary support of counselors, for a total of $127,000, at the West Side Campaign Against Hunger at the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, a United Methodist congregation.

• Operational expenses of $102,700 for the Coney Island Avenue Project, which has provided emergency funds for those affected by Sept. 11 and advocacy for immigrants.

• Budget assistance of $40,000 for the Riverside Church food bank, which has experience increased demand since Sept. 11.

As part of the response in Afghanistan, UMCOR directors approved $200,000 for the International Assistance Mission, which worked for years in that country before being ousted by the Taliban in August 2001.

United Methodist News Service