First UMC assembles hygiene and provisions kits for people…

LAURENS—One church in South Carolina launched a community-wide effort to pack hygiene bags and provision kits to help people in need.

On Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon, members of First United Methodist Church and others in the Laurens community gathered at the church for their fall missions effort, packing 500 bags of United Methodist Committee on Relief hygiene kits and 100 provision bags for persons experiencing homelessness. The church purchased all the supplies for the effort.

UMCOR is the humanitarian relief and development arm of the UMC and assists churches to become involved globally in direct ministry to persons in need by working with vulnerable communities to strengthen self-sufficiency and encourage partnerships. UMCOR responds to United States and international disasters, addresses diseases of poverty, ministers to refugees and immigrants, provides clean water and actively works to reduce hunger.

UMCOR hygiene kits provide basic necessities to people who have been forced to leave their homes because of human conflict or natural disaster. Hygiene kits are also used as learning tools in personal hygiene, literacy, nutrition and cooking classes.

The provisions kits will go to those in Laurens County and surrounding areas who are in need and who may be experiencing homelessness. These kits contain all that hygiene kits contain, plus some extra materials, especially to help during the current health crisis.

Hygiene kits include a comb, toothbrush, nail clippers, 10 bandages, a bar of soap, a washcloth and a hand towel. Provision kits include all of these as well as a water bottle, hand and body wipes, sunscreen, feminine pads, hand sanitizer, five disposable masks and ankle socks.

First members said they are honored to be in service of Christ Jesus.