Katy Christian Ministries Welcomes Donations and Volunteers as it Helps in Recovery Efforts

By George Slaughter

As people have seen, hurricanes are devastating. People are also seeing the generosity and persistency that Katy-area residents are showing in helping to rebuild after such disasters.

One such example of this generosity of spirit is at Katy Christian Ministries.

The ministry headquarters, at 5504 1st St., sustained up to two feet of water damage from Hurricane Harvey. It got off to a slow start, but it had help in quickly ramping up its efforts. Executive Director Deysi Crespo said that KCM worked with First United Methodist Church, 5601 5th St., to begin accepting and tracking donations from community members.

Other churches and volunteers in the community quickly got involved in the rebuilding effort.

Neighbors helping neighbors makes for a good local story. But in Katy’s case, people outside the area are paying attention and getting involved. Crespo said people have been following the news and visiting the KCM web site to learn how they can get involved—and not all are from the local area. One donor, she said, was from Sweden—over 5,000 miles away from Katy.

Another donor, she said, was named Katie, and was inspired to make a contribution—Katie for Katy, one might say.

The ministry continues to welcome donations. Recovery will take time. Most needed are the following:

  • Beverages: water, tea and lemonade.
  • Food: canned fruit, canned meat (SPAM, Vienna sausages, etc.), canned mixed vegetables, canned tomato products, cereal and oatmeal, condiments (ketchup, mayo, salad dressing), cooking oil (small or medium sized), dry beans (1 lb. bags), flour, frozen meat, ground coffee, jelly, macaroni and cheese, pancake mix and syrup, ramen noodles, snacks for kids, spaghetti, sugar, and white rice (1 lb. bags).
  • Personal care items: baby wash, bar soap, basic first aid supplies, brushes, can openers, combs, diapers (especially sizes 4-6), face cloths, feminine products, hand sanitizer, hand soap, laundry detergent (powder only), lotion, paper/plastic plates & bowls, plastic utensils (forks and spoons), razors, shampoo & conditioner, shaving cream, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, wet wipes, and Ziploc bags (both in quarter and gallon-sized).
  • Cleaning supplies: all-purpose cleaners, bleach, brooms, buckets, cleaning gloves, dish soap, dust face masks, kitchen-sized garbage bags, Lysol wipes, mops, paper towels, sponges, and toilet paper.

Crespo said gas cards are also needed. Gift cards for grocery stores, or stores such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Walmart, are also welcomed.

Crespo said donors can specify how they want their donations to be used by specifying as much on their check or in their donation.

For more information, visit the KCM web site, or call KCM at 281-391-5261.