Reply #9: Have you ever tried this??

[politicat]

Okay, in 1992, my grandmother was in a community that was spared the brunt of Andrew, but within close distance for the survivors. Her 200 population methodist church opened their doors - and their purses - for about 40 survivors, all that would fit in the chancel and the fellowship hall and the other spaces.

Within 10 days, they were out of money, the community was tapped out and they were begging the Red Cross for assistance.

A mega-church might be able (and should be, for remember Matthew 25 - what thou dost to the least of these, thou doest for me) to shelter more people for longer, but churches don't necessarily have deep pockets. Often, they're lucky to pay the mortgage, the minister's stipend and buy coffee and cookies for the fellowship hour.

I heard on NPr today that several of the churches are in exactly that position.