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- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contributed $1 million to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts following Hurricane Helene.
- This donation aims to help provide essential food and care to affected families across several states.
- Thousands of volunteer church members have already assisted with debris cleanup and relief work.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated $1 million to the American Red Cross on Friday earmarked to help in the organization's response to Hurricane Helene.
The Red Cross said the donation will provide shelter, food, water, supplies and mental health support to "families still grappling with the unimaginable destruction."
Over 2,000 disaster relief volunteers with the Red Cross are at work in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee, and they have already provided over 2.3 million meals and snacks, along with cleaning and hygiene supplies.
Cameron Hatch, Southeast Area welfare and self-reliance manager for the church, said working with the Red Cross helps the church better support those impacted by hurricanes.
"We're thankful for everyone who has united with us to help follow Jesus Christ's example of serving and caring for those in need," he said.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced days after the hurricane that it was organizing disaster relief command centers and sending trucks with water, food and hygiene kits "as quickly as possible to the locations of greatest need."
The church's websites notes that thousands of church volunteers will spend weekends helping clear debris and clean out flooded homes in nearby areas. Elder Craig C. Christensen, president of the church's North America Southeast Area, said they rely on members in nearby church congregations to help in times of need.
"In doing so, we serve as the Savior did and exemplify the meaning of the name of his church, the same name that is printed on those bright and recognizable yellow shirts that bring hope to their communities with a wheelbarrow and chainsaw in hand," he said.
Thousands of members have volunteered to help.
Earlier this year, the church donated $7.35 million to the Red Cross to aid in multiple programs, including disaster responses. In 2023, the church donated $1 million to the Red Cross to aid its efforts in Maui following wildfires, in addition to other donations.
The church has partnered with the Red Cross for over 100 years. Friday's donation announcement said Red Cross founder Clara Barton and Emmeline B. Wells, president of the church's Relief Society at the time, worked together to build comfort kits for soldiers.
