News Release

Mormon Helping Hands Lift Lives

More relief supplies began arriving at the Area Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  this morning, and as quickly as they were unloaded from the truck, the Mormon Helping Hands volunteers began to repack them into sacks and kits. A portion of the basic essentials, particularly hygiene kits, were picked up by GMA Kapuso Foundation for distribution to 1,000 families tomorrow in Hagonoy and San Agustin, Bulacan.  The distribution will be facilitated by the GMA Kapuso Foundation with the help of the Philippine Navy.

In response to the disaster, the Church released an initial amount of $25,000.00 to buy food, sleeping mats, blankets and hygiene kits to address the immediate needs of people affected by the incessant rains and floods.  Additional help has been approved to further assist those affected by the flooding.

Later today, almost 200 more volunteers arrived to assemble packets of rice, corned beef, noodles and sardines.  Goods packed today will be delivered tomorrow to Laguna and other outlying provinces.  The Angeles Stake (diocese) Center under President Briones has also become a staging point where basic essentials are presently repacked by Church volunteers together with the Catholic volunteers of the Archdiocese of Pampanga led by Archbishop Ambo.

Hygiene kits assembled this morning contained alcohol, toothbrushes/toothpaste, shampoo, body soap, laundry soap and toilet paper while diapers and wet wipes went into the baby kits.  These packets were put together quickly by more than 60 volunteers who made short work of the task, completing it in under two hours. 

Today, work is still ongoing where food packs (weighing 100 lbs.each) of rice and other canned goods are being repacked.  TV 5 Alagang Kapatid Foundation will facilitate the distribution to different outlying areas in Manila where basic help from government has not yet reached these evacuation centers.

Ariel Dylan Robina, a youth from Cubao expressed the joy he felt being with his friends packing the goods and said,  “I came here to help my fellow Filipinos. I am fortunate to not have been flooded and can now help those who were. As I do this I feel the Spirit of my Heavenly Father letting me know I am doing what He would want me to.”

“I feel the need to help those affected by the flood. Jesus said that when we serve others we serve him and I feel happy when I serve,” explains Marie L. Lucero, a youth from Pasig Stake (diocese).

Volunteers will continue to work in the next few days to ensure that relief is provided to people in the evacuation areas.

 

 

 

 

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