A group went to Lake Wales to see the storm damage. Today, they're going back with food and supplies for hundreds of people.
By MEGAN SCOTT
Published October 26, 2004
CLEARWATER - The pastors wanted to do more than pray and pass the collection plate during Sunday services.
So when they heard that Lake Wales had been devastated three times by hurricanes, they sprang into action. Two weeks ago, they visited the area and assessed the damage.
This morning they are headed back there with enough food, water and supplies for 400 people.
"We had decided we needed to do something to help our brothers and sisters," said the Rev. William Sherman, pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Clearwater. "We felt an obligation because four storms had come; two were predicted to come to Pinellas County. God spared us."
Sherman is president of the Upper Pinellas County Ministerial Alliance, an organization of six pastors from black churches throughout the Clearwater area. The group has been around for about 40 years.
One of the members, the Rev. Fleming Tarver of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, knew Dwayne Wells, the pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Lake Wales. Wells showed the Clearwater pastors around the central Florida town.
"We saw churches with roofs blown off," Sherman said. "We were touched emotionally. That prompted us to do more. We decided we should do something to help those who were less fortunate."
The alliance has spent the past week collecting items for the people in Lake Wales, a town of about 11,000 near Winter Haven. They asked their congregations for nonperishable food, clothing and water. The Albertsons supermarket on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard gave them a discount on food items. Some people even donated mattresses.
Tarver said the collection has helped bring the churches closer together. The alliance also includes pastors from Bayview Baptist Church, Mount Zion Methodist Church, Church of God by Faith and True Vine Missionary Baptist Church.
"We might be separated in the area of theology," he said. "But the care and concern, I don't think they are separated. When the need arrives, everyone pulls together."
Wells said he would begin calling people Monday night to let them know the supplies would be coming. His church, which was not damaged in the storms, is serving as a distribution center.
He expects the supplies to run out fast.
Each time Lake Wales has received a donation, the items have gone in a couple of days, Wells said.
"We're pretty much getting along a little better," he said. "But people are still in need. There was one nursing home that received so much damage, they had to get the patients out. The workers had to be laid off and let go because the nursing home is not in operation."
The alliance is hoping to continue collecting items and make a few more trips to Lake Wales. All of the pastors planned to help unload the truck of supplies this morning.
"It's been amazing how the pastors have pulled together," Sherman said. "We feel so proud we can do this to help our brothers and sisters."
