Disaster Season 2023

Gleaning For The World has been responding to natural disasters locally, nationally, and internationally for 25 years. GFTW remains vigilant and responsive from June through November each year as storm related disasters are at their highest frequency and work hard to bring timely relief to those in need. As the number of natural disasters seem to increase on an annual basis, so does the devastation they leave behind. Listen below as President of Gleaning For The World Jeane Smiley-Mason helps bring awareness to this year’s disaster relief efforts.

Natural Disasters 1980-2022

Data from the National Centers for Environmental Information at NOAA tells us “During 2022, there were eighteen separate billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events. These events included: eleven severe storm events (tornado outbreaks, high wind, hailstorms and a derecho), three tropical cyclones (Ian, Fiona, Nicole), the Kentucky/Missouri flooding, the late-December Central and Eastern winter storm/cold wave, the Western and Central drought/heat wave and Western wildfires.” Since 1980 the total cost of natural disasters adjusted for the rate of inflation in 2023 is estimated to be a total of 2.540 trillion dollars. Over 1/3rd of the costs associated with natural disasters since 1980 can be attributed to disasters occurring over the past 7 years.

A Message From Gleaning

Today’s headlines point to a disturbing trend. It seems that extreme weather events are becoming the new normal. It’s not uncommon for headlines to read that a weather event is “deadlier” or “breaking long-hold records” or “unprecedented” or “historic.” This trend is occurring across the globe. We’re all experiencing the changes. No region is exempt!
While June officially marks the start of the six-month hurricane season, severe weather is now occurring all year long. And, while a storm’s destruction can be monetized, it is the human loss that has the greatest and long-lasting impact.
Gleaning’s Disaster Relief Program began in our first year of operation 25 years ago. The stories from the frontlines of disaster relief are astonishing. Our disaster relief coordinator refers to his on-the-ground experiences as “the great sadness.” He’s seen it all – people facing the reality of losing a loved one, neighbor, friend, even a family pet… facing the reality of losing home, possessions, entire communities…. even individual trauma of facing the danger of death or physical injury to self.
Almost everyone is willing to talk about what they experienced, even though it isn’t easy. The details can be equally tough to hear – like when there is no safe place to go when a monster storm is bearing down on your community or when you hear and feel your home being torn apart as you and your loved ones struggle to stay safe.
One woman told us that her daughter, who lived in a nearby town, went missing after a tornado. After trying to reach her by repeated phone calls, she drove to her daughter’s home… finding her deceased in the wreckage. “She was still in praying position.” The mother was sure her daughter had been praying at the time the tornado struck. With tears in her eyes, she said “I don’t understand why God lets things like that happen.” Such profound sadness.
Responding in the initial stages of a disaster has been Gleaning’s primary focus since Day One. Helping to provide those basic supplies to families having fled their homes with little notice is important and we’ll continue to make that a primary response. However, we have expanded our program to help with the long-term recovery phase as well. This phase involves more significant items months after a family can move back into their rebuilt home.
Having lost most or all their personal belongings during a disaster, they must find the means to obtain household goods. Working with local pastors and other emergency services, we identify individuals and families in need. Once selected, they can shop for basic household furnishings at a local furniture retailer. Because of the compassion and generosity of our financial donors, we can provide these home furnisings. This often includes baby furniture, living room furniture, box springs and mattress sets, or a dining room table and chairs.
Our pilot program came when an EF-4 tornado struck Western Kentucky in December 2021, killing 55 people. Our efforts had a significant impact in this rural area as people worked to get back on their feet. We’ve used this learning experience to press on in this additional phase of relief work.
With your help, we provide this type of hope and encouragement. Not only in the initial phase of a disaster, but now, in the equally important recovery phase.
We are expecting another period of major storm activity. Will you help us today as we prepare to respond? Every dollar you give will provide help and hope to those most impacted by nature’s worst. Click here to make a donation, and thank you for standing with Gleaning!