St. Louis community and faith leaders have announced a community-wide Hurricane Harvey relief effort, collecting a variety items requested by congregations in Houston.  

Among the coordinators of the “Mercy Movement – St. Louis for Houston” are Rabbi Susan Talve of Central Reform Congregation (one of the drop-off sites for items — see more information below) and State Rep. Stacey Newman. Other St. Louis faith leaders involved include Rev. Dr. Traci Blackmon of Christ the King United Church of Christ, Rev. Ron Bobo of Westside Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Julian Johnson of Bethesda Temple and Pastor B.T. Rice of New Horizon Christian Church.

In 2005, the congregations organized a St. Louis relief effort for Hurricane Katrina, answering a Baton Rouge church’s call for help after it suddenly received more than 200 survivors and families who walked from New Orleans. 

Earlier today (Sept. 1), the congregations launched the St. Louis relief effort for Hurricane Harvey, working closely with congregations in Houston who have requested specific help. Four large trucks will depart Tuesday Sept. 5 for Houston from the locations listed below.

Drop-off locations (noon Saturday, Sept. 2 through 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 4):

• Central Reform Congregation: 5020 Waterman Blvd, St. Louis 63108

• Westside Missionary Baptist Church: 2677 Dunn Road, St. Louis, 63136

• New Horizons 7^th Day Christian Church:  206 Emerling Drive, St. Louis 63121

• Bethesda Temple Church: 5401 JA Johnson Lane, St. Louis, 63136

Specific Items Needed (only these will be accepted):

• Cleaning Items –Wet vacs, plastic bins for debris, rolls of heavy contractor trash bags, chlorine bleach, disinfectants, Dawn dishwashing liquid, N95 or better masks for mold remediation, work gloves, rubber dishwashing gloves, latex gloves, Pine-Sol, paper towels, hand sanitizer, Lysol sanitizing wipes, packing tape & dispensers, packing boxes – all sizes, newsprint sheet packing paper (20 x 30), bubble wrap, Sharpies, Duck Tape, box and rotating fans

• Personal care Items – diapers, formula, baby products, detergent, non-perishable food, pantry kept food, adult mosquito spray, fungicides, allergy medicine, personal hygiene items (new only), first aid supplies, PediaSure, pediatric medicines of all kinds, adult reading glasses, Orajel (both adult and child).

• Gift Cards – Target, Amazon, Home Depot

• School Supplies – Backpacks with elementary school supplies (for Jewish day schools who lost everything)