NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
A Middle Tennessee organization made up of Churches of Christ is prepared to send food and other supplies to the hardest hit areas following Hurricane Isaac's land fall.
The Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort have thousands of food boxes and cleaning kits ready to go.
"We are ready to go," Executive Director Joe Dudney said. "In fact, I have some calls and emails from people in New Orleans so they are ready for us to come."
The organization also responded to the Gulf Coast and New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The disaster relief effort sent around $30 million to the region after that storm.
"We wait until after the storm passes to see what area needs the help the most," Dudney said. "For every dollar donated we ship $3 dollars worth of goods to people in need."
So far this year the organization has provided more than $1.8 million in aid to states across the country.
Most recently, the organization sent aid to states battling wildfires.
Volunteers also helped people affected by the May 2010 flood and people who were left recovering from deadly Missouri tornadoes in 2011.
"We stay in there as long as there is a need," Dudney said. "That is what I promise to the people who donate to us that it will go to those who really have need."
The organization provides food boxes with supplies and food to sustain a family of four for four days.
They also ship cleaning supplies, baby food and personal hygiene items.
According to the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort's Web site the organization unofficially began operations in 1990.
Since then, it has distributed more than $106 million in emergency food and supplies in response to 301 disasters in 42 states.
The organization is supported through private donations and is manned nationwide by volunteers.
It's location at 410 Allied Drive has two warehouses with more than 80,000 square feet of space to store goods.
Volunteers are always needed to help build food boxes and take care of other tasks around the facility.
The Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort can be reached at 615-833-0888 or through its Web site.
