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.” |