Convoy of Hope delivers relief in the U.S., abroad

Modern Republic warehouse boosts distribution
 
If you can think of a place where a natural disaster has caused major damage and left thousands of people homeless, chances are that Convoy of Hope has people there delivering food and emergency supplies to those in need.
Even as people are recovering from the impact of Hurricane Ida in Louisiana, as well as its aftermath in the Northeastern United States, wildfires in the western states, earthquakes in Haiti and flooding in Tennessee and Guyana, Convoy of Hope has staff and volunteers in those places to help those who have been displaced.
Help before and after Hurricane Ida
The organization doesn’t just conduct operations on their own; they will typically work with locals to distribute relief to those in need. A notable example is their operation in Louisiana.
“Convoy of Hope made the trip down to Louisiana in advance of Hurricane Ida with a mix of 23 staff members and volunteers,” said Ethan Forhetz, vice-president of Community Engagement. “We are rotating people in and out weekly but the total number remains in the ballpark up 23. Once we are at a location, we typically partner with churches in the area to give out the supply that we bring in. Convoy’s people organize and supply the distribution, then church volunteers are often the ones handing the supply to their neighbors.”
Though Hurricane Ida is now past, the need for aid isn’t. For that reason, Forhetz said, Convoy is ready to remain in Louisiana for several months, if needed.
“Convoy of Hope planned a major response to a major disaster,” he said. “We are prepared to be there for several weeks, if not months, helping people get back on their feet after such a devastating Category Four hurricane.”
The supplies Convoy is providing in Louisiana include “water, food such as Clif Bars, canned goods and instant mashed potatoes, as well as cleaning supplies, tarps, hygiene supplies, and solar lanterns (with) phone chargers,” said Forhetz.
Some of the supplies are handed out through “drive-through distributions.” Forhetz said about 800 to 900 cars come through distribution spots each day for supplies.
“To date, we have given out well more than a million pounds – and counting -- of supplies to victims of Hurricane Ida,” he said.
Can provide aid to multiple locations at any time
Forhetz said the organization can also respond to multiple disasters at any time.
“Convoy of Hope is actively working on all three American coasts,” he said. “On the East Coast, we are resourcing churches in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania following the tornadoes and flooding brought by the remnants of Ida. Much of what victims need there are cleaning supplies following the devastating and deadly flooding. On the West Coast, we are working to provide relief in the form of water, from the wildfires and drought in California. On the Gulf Coast, Convoy continues to provide relief supplies to tens of thousands of people suffering in the wake of Hurricane Ida.”
After an earthquake hit Haiti, Forhetz said, Convoy of Hope also provided relief there.
“To date, we have supplied more than 5 million meals in 163 communities across the island nation,” he said.
Convoy of Hope is even providing aid in Afghanistan, though Forhetz said many of the details of that operation are being kept a secret.
“While we cannot be specific in order to keep our people and partners safe, Convoy is helping with food and water along the border of Afghanistan,” he said. “We are also helping with refugees arriving in Europe and the United States.”
World Distribution Center in Republic key to their operations
Part of the reason the organization can respond to so many crises so quickly, Forhetz said, is because of their new World Distribution Center, located in Republic.
“Convoy of Hope's new World Distribution Center is equipped with a much more efficient and better organized racking system,” he said. “That has allowed for a much faster truck loading process as we work to get relief supplies where they are most needed.”
Partnering with locals important
When responding to a crisis, Forhetz said, cooperation with local organizations is vital.
“Convoy of Hope disaster teams are in contact with community leaders in the disaster zone, as well as churches,” he said. “We organize with churches, and sometimes municipalities, to set up supply dates when we can hold distributions in their community. Convoy relies greatly on people on the ground, our partners, to tell us what the needs are in their community so we can show up and best meet those needs.”
Organization is self-sufficient
The organization also tries to be self-sufficient, so that they don’t take resources away from those who need them.
“One of the great things about Convoy of Hope ... is that we are self-sufficient when we enter a community,” he said. “We have our own generators, electricity, food, bathrooms, showers, and sleeping quarters. It’s important to us to not be a drain on an infrastructure that has already been hit so hard. When we roll in right after a disaster, we want only to give, not to take any of the resources needed by victims.”
Monetary donations one of the best ways to help
For those who want to help Convoy of Hope in their mission, Forhetz said financial donations are one of the best ways to help, as the organization can purchase up to five times more in supplies with a certain amount of money than an individual can.
“Convoy of Hope has established relationships with incredible corporate partners who can give us a discount rate on relief supplies we purchase,” he said. “Many of the corporations are also generous enough to donate some supply. What Convoy of Hope is able to do, that individual citizens cannot, is stretch a dollar so much further. For instance, if you or I were to go to the store and buy a case of water to donate, Convoy of Hope would be able to buy at least five cases of water for the same amount (of money) and get them to the people who need them. Convoy of Hope’s track record and experience allow us to make the dollar stretch so much further than you or I could alone.”