Wake of the Flood
Diocese Provides Relief to Flood Victims

The waters have receded, but last month’s floods have left a deluge of hardships in their wake. The Diocese of Scranton is trying to mitigate that by providing assistance to flood victims.

For the past several weeks, Catholic Social Services staff members have been assessing household needs and distributing financial assistance to people throughout the region. CSS conducted evaluation sessions at 12 sites in Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties. Residents were able to tell the agency about the damages they suffered.

According to Msgr. Joseph P. Kelly, Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Human Services and executive director of Catholic Social Services, those who attended the sessions report that 45 families lost their entire home, 227 families had first-floor damage, and 205 families had basement damage.

“You do not have to belong to a parish or even be Catholic,” he said. “We just want to help as many people as we can.”

CSS is providing Wal-Mart gift cards to affected families because the stores are located in a variety of areas, and they offer items ranging from food to clothing to pharmaceuticals to cleaning supplies. Some families may get further monetary assistance based on their circumstances, Msgr. Kelly said.

The aid is being financed by a second collection taken in Diocesan parishes the weekend of July 1-2. Bishop Joseph F. Martino asked pastors to take the collection, saying it was necessary “to help alleviate the suffering in our midst. The damage in the Diocese of Scranton is very widespread. Thousands of our brothers and sisters have been affected.”

As The Catholic Light went to press, more than $163,559 had been received through the collection. In addition, Catholic Social Services had received $6,626 in direct contributions.