Matthew 25: Ministries in partnership with P&G will provide help to families in need after hurricane makes landfall as a strong category 4 storm causing significant damage

FRIDAY AUGUST 28, 2020 CINCINNATI, OH – In partnership with P&G, Matthew 25: Ministries is responding to Hurricane Laura, which made landfall early Thursday morning along the Gulf Coast as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph, causing heavy storm surge as far inland as 30 miles in parts of Texas and Louisiana.  Although Laura weakened significantly to a Category 1 hurricane after making landfall, flash flooding and high winds continue to be a threat.  The storm could also produce sporadic tornadoes as it travels north and east.

In partnership with P&G, Matthew 25: Ministries will be deploying a selection of their Disaster Response Fleet, which includes two Tide Loads of Hope Mobile Units, as well as customized panel and pickup trucks loaded with supplies such as P&G personal care kits, household and cleaning products, Cintas first aid and safety kits and supplies, and additional items such as Pampers diapers, Charmin toilet paper, Tide Pods, generators, fans and tarps.

As more information has been released about COVID-19 and as guidelines have become more updated and specific regarding safe operations, Matthew 25: Ministries has been able to establish new safety protocols and processes that help keep both our team and beneficiaries at distribution and Tide Loads of Hope activation sites protected while still allowing us to provide supplies and free laundry services to households whose lives have been impacted by major disasters.

Safety precautions for the deployment include dual deployment of Tide Loads of Hope mobile laundromat units to allow for social distancing on-site, increased use of PPE, increased sanitation practices, signage instructions and non-contact registration.  In addition, the team will adhere to all local health agency COVID-19 guidelines.

Matthew 25 is requesting donations of the following types of items to supplement existing supplies and for distributions and restocking during the response:

• Monetary Donations: Donate online at www.m25m.org/donate, mail checks to Matthew 25: Ministries, 11060 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242 (100% of donated funds designated for Hurricane Laura Relief will be used for the purpose intended)
• Personal Care Products: Antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lotion etc.
• Cleaning Supplies: Laundry detergents, general cleaner, sponges, bleach (powdered form is preferred), mops, scrub brushes, buckets, rubber gloves etc.
• Paper Products: Toilet paper, paper towels etc.
• Baby and Infant Supplies: Diapers, wipes, diaper rash ointment, baby wash, baby shampoo, baby lotion etc.
• First-Aid Items: Bandages, gauze, pads, first aid tape, antiseptic creams, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, latex gloves, instant cold packs etc.
• Clean-up Supplies: Protective eyewear, work gloves, masks, shovels, screwdrivers, saws, trash bags etc.
• Candles and Flashlights: If necessary, please include the appropriate size batteries with any flashlight donation.

Matthew 25 will be re-opening their facility to volunteers beginning September 1. The reopening process will begin with individuals and families on a preregistered basis only.  Interested volunteers should visit Matthew 25’s volunteer page https://m25m.org/help/volunteering/ for more details regarding hours and guidelines.

For the most current information on Matthew 25: Ministries’ activities, please visit their website https://m25m.org/disaster/gulfstorms20/ or follow Matthew 25 on Facebook facebook.com/m25m.org, Instagram instagram.com/m25m_org and Twitter twitter.com/M25M_org.  For more in-depth information about Matthew 25: Ministries’ humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts or to schedule an interview, please contact Joodi Archer joodi@m25m.org.

Matthew 25: Ministries accepts cash, credit card and internet donations for ongoing disaster aid and humanitarian relief programs.  All designated funds are used for the purpose intended. For the most up-to-date information about Matthew 25: Ministries’ humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts please contact Joodi Archer joodi@m25m.org or call (513) 793-6256.

ABOUT MATTHEW 25: MINISTRIES: Matthew 25: Ministries rescues and reuses approximately 13,000,000 pounds of products each year and redistributes them to people in desperate need throughout the US and worldwide. Each year, Matthew 25: Ministries impacts the lives of more than 18,000,000 individuals throughout the United States and around the world.  Matthew 25 is ranked on Forbes’ list of America’s Top Charities. Matthew 25 is also highly ranked among approximately 3,500 four-star charities on Charity Navigator.  Matthew 25: Ministries is accredited by the Better Business Bureau through the “Wise Giving Alliance Standards”. For more information, or to schedule an interview, contact Joodi Archer at Matthew 25: Ministries (513) 793-6256 joodi@m25m.org or visit www.m25m.org.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Joodi Archer
Development and Media Director, Matthew 25: Ministries
joodi@m25m.org

Julie Desylva
Senior Communications Manager, P&G
desylva.j@pg.com

Henry Molski
Communications Manager, Tide
molski.hd@pg.com