Minot, N.D. -- Catholic Charities North Dakota has dispersed $1,000,000 to the Minot area to be used for building materials ($750,000), unmet needs ($150,000), Mennonite Disaster Service ($100,000) rebuilding and other needs of families receiving assistance from volunteers, and $25,000 to recognize and honor Resources Agency Flood Team (RAFT) volunteer case managers and cover administrative costs.

RAFT is coordinated by Rev. Debra Ball-Killbourne, Faith UMC of Minot, N.D. She reported, “The financial gift from Catholic Charities provided each RAFT volunteer with a stipend of $400 for expenses in contacting clients and going to their homes for evaluation of needs.  In the process two of the volunteers donated the $400 they received to Faith UM Church.”   Faith UMC loss their building to the Minot Flood and is currently purchasing land and a building to start a new church home.  

The funds from Catholic Charities will augment the United Methodist efforts.  United Methodist throughout the connection have contributed over $1 million in volunteer work and cash donations.  UMCOR has provided $525, 000 alone. Bob Lower, Dakotas Conference Associate Coordinator for Disaster Relief for the Minot Area stated,  “UMCOR funds allowed us to provide funding when building supplies were running low.  Lutheran Disaster Response also responded.  The rebuilding of Minot is truly an ecumenical effort. Hope Village has made that possible.”

Catholic Charities North Dakota has been working on getting funding for the past several months.  When building materials ran very low Dakotas UMC used $100,000 of the UMCOR grant for building materials and Lutheran Disaster Response matched it to keep the rebuilding process going.
 

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