LDS humanitarian services supports Hurricane Harvey victims, volunteers

We’ve all seen the Mormon Helping Hands volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their trademark yellow t-shirts and aprons, working to restore order and hope in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. These are men and women from all over Texas, Louisiana, and beyond who have volunteered countless hours, mucking out the homes of devastated southeast Texas families. What we don’t see is the Church’s humanitarian infrastructure that supports the Mormon Helping Hands volunteers, making their efforts not only meaningful, but indeed possible.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—the Mormons—are often one of the first responders to natural or man-made disasters around the world, working hand in hand with other volunteer organizations and local governments. One way that the Church is able to

respond quickly to urgent need is its system of 131 bishop’s storehouses located around the world.  Within hours of a disaster, the Church works with local government officials to determine what supplies are needed. Materials are then immediately sent to the area.

One such storehouse is located in the Dallas area. Phil Coplen of Colleyville has served as the

warehouse manager for three and a half years, alongside approximately 50 other volunteers. During this time he has been part of the Church’s response team on numerous disasters. While Hurricane Harvey is challenging for many reasons, it has met its match in the Church’s ability to render aid.

“The very first thing to happen was the rapid response to the most urgent needs [in the wake of Hurricane Harvey]. After consulting with local leaders, it was determined the critical initial needs were for water and hygiene products,” said Coplen.  “Two tractor trailers were immediately loaded and sent to Dallas. The contract truckers were unwilling to drive into Houston, however, mainly because of fuel concerns. As the storehouse maintains its own 15,000 gallon fuel supply, the items were unloaded and reloaded onto Church trucks.

“Simultaneously, trucks in Salt Lake were loaded with clean-up supplies—wheelbarrows, chainsaws, masks, work gloves, you name it—and sent to the local storehouses where member volunteers could come to access supplies needed for their service.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called upon its members in the unaffected areas of Texas and Louisiana to commit to helping after Harvey for an initial three week period. However, it is clear to all concerned the need for volunteers will go on much longer. After the initial, urgent needs are met, the Church will look for additional ways to help with longterm needs of the community.  100% of donations to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ humanitarian services are used for relief aid, the Church absorbing its own overhead costs.

“We’re going to have continuing needs beyond [the initial three week call for volunteers],” said Coplen, a man who has spent the first decade of his retirement years in service.  “The Lord was all about service when He was here on the earth,” said Coplen. “Being a retired guy gives me the opportunity to serve. It makes me feel good about the work to think that I’m doing what the Lord would be doing, if He were here.”

Men and women like Phil Coplen, supported by the vast humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, provide much more than muscle and supplies—although muscle and supplies are dearly needed—they provide hope. The Book of Mormon states, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:17). The volunteers of the Mormon Helping Hands program and the bishop’s storehouse know that firsthand.