As recovery and support efforts begin for Oregon communities severely impacted by fires, Messiah is immediately partnering with the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) organization of Oregon. Its executive director, Alaide Vilchis Ibarra, is the former policy director of the ELCA's advocacy office in Washington, D.C.

Forgotten in much of the media coverage, are the many migrant families whose lives have been upended by the loss of places to live and income.

You are invited to drop off needed items from a list that IMIrJ has already provided at the Hazel Dell campus parking lot this Wednesday, September 16, from 10a-2p. The items will be loaded and delivered by Pr. Lenny directly to migrant encampments that day.

Needed items are:

toothbrushes
toothpaste
feminine hygiene products
deodorant
AA & AAA batteries
toilet paper
rice
beans
cooking oil
t-shirts
socks 
baby wipes
diapers
baby formula

On a larger scale, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is engaging with at least three Lutheran social services agencies and five synods to assess the situation and determine other ways to respond. LDR expects immediate needs to include food and other necessities, as well as emotional and spiritual care for those who have been traumatized.