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February 1, 2002

Edition

Tallahassee churches respond to red tide

Photo by the Rev. James A. Trainer Jr. 

Peggy Moore (left), St. George Island United Methodist Church's lay leader, and Marsha Smith (right), the church's Outreach chairperson, shop for warm clothing at a local thrift shop. It and other items will be given to local seafood workers hurt by last year's red tide.
   
By the Rev. James A. Trainer Jr.,  pastor of St. George Island United Methodist Church

APALACHICOLA — Seafood workers in the Apalachicola Bay returned to work just before Christmas after a two-month layoff caused by a red tide. Now, United Methodist churches in the Tallahassee District are working to help the approximately 2,400 workers who lost combined wages of more than $1.5 million, according to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission closed the bay to all shellfish harvesting last Oct. 16, a week into the lucrative winter season, after it confirmed a red tide. A red tide is an infestation of plankton that creates a toxin that’s harmful to many forms of marine life and humans who eat infected shellfish.

Shortly before Christmas, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services determined the shellfish were safe for human consumption and allowed the industry to resume work.

Bill Rhan, the Florida Conference’s disaster response coordinator, said the red tide hit at a time when the shellfish industry was overcoming the economic setback of a recent ban on net fishing. “They were having to learn how to fish again and a different way of fishing,” Rhan said. “They were just getting over the impact of that when this red tide hit.”

The challenge for area churches is to find ways to help people who have been without income for two months. Many need assistance with food and housing, and have medical and transportation concerns. Rhan said workers also need help purchasing prescription medicines because few have medical insurance.

After on-site visits by Florida Conference and Tallahassee District disaster response leadership, Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker appealed to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), which gave an immediate disbursement of $10,000. Local congregations will use the money to help residents get back on their feet. The relief effort is expected to last several months and cost as much as $360,000, according to Rhan.

The affected area is in Franklin County. The four United Methodist churches there have already given blankets and food relief vouchers redeemable at local grocery stores to more than 125 families. They also provided coats to a family of six that needed cold-weather wear.

The local Baptist churches received a $50,000 grant for the effort and have been helping workers pay rent and utility bills. They and the United Methodist churches have referred people to each other as needs arise.

The Small Business Administration has declared the Apalachicola Bay community a disaster area for economic injury, which makes low-cost loans available. Rhan said that is not a viable solution for many people because they don’t have the money to repay the loans.

The state is waiting for approval of its application for a federal economic disaster declaration, which would make federal funds available.

The conference has set up Advance #717 for the Apalachicola Bay relief effort. Donations can be made through local United Methodist churches. Checks should include “Advance #717, Apalachicola Bay.”


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