EASTPOINT — They have survived hurricanes, bay closures and new net laws, but some residents here who make their living catching and harvesting seafood in the Apalachicola Bay say they have never experienced anything like the red tide that hit late last year.

Residents are bouncing back from the red tide’s devastating economic effect, though, thanks to an ecumenical relief effort by local churches, including the four United Methodist churches in Franklin County, one of the four counties in the Florida Panhandle affected.

Red tide is an infestation of algae that produces a toxin harmful to people who ingest seafood infected with the algae. Oysters and other shellfish are particularly susceptible.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission closed the bay to all shellfish harvesting from last Oct. 16 to just before Christmas, causing approximately 2,400 workers to lose combined wages of more than $1.5 million, according to an impact assessment by the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation.

Franklin County harvests more than 90 percent of Florida’s oysters and 10 percent of the nation’s supply, according to statistics compiled by State Marine Fisheries. The red tide and subsequent bay closure occurred during the lucrative winter season.

The area’s churches responded by helping residents with groceries, rent and utility bills. But they’ve also covered the cost of more unusual items—a follow-up mammogram for a woman who had cancer, false teeth, a marriage license.

It has all been done through money raised locally and $85,000 given by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) at the request of the Florida Conference’s Bishop Timothy Whitaker. The local Baptist churches also received a $50,000 grant from their denomination.

“There were no federal dollars so it was basically up to charities and local churches,” said the Rev. Jim Trainer, pastor of St. George Island United Methodist Church. “The needs were great. People were having their electric turned off right and left. I had a sense of a rightful pride of telling people…this is God’s money coming back to you and helping you.”

Trainer is leading the United Methodist church’s relief efforts. His church, the First United Methodist Churches of Eastpoint and Apalachicola, and Carrabelle United Methodist Church are working together as the Apalachicola Bay Economic Disaster Relief Team. All are located in the Tallahassee District.

“We’ve literally fed hundreds and kept hundreds in their homes,” said the Rev. Lou Patmore, pastor of First United Methodist Church here.

“In a two-week period we fed about 400 people,” added Farris Aston, chairwoman of the Eastpoint church’s administrative council and finance committee. “We have helped about half of the oyster families.”

Aston said some people expected the help; some didn’t. “Some cried. Some didn’t say anything. Some wanted to know how we could help more, but, as a rule, people were very grateful.”

Some of the families who have been helped met at First United Methodist Church here and shared their experiences with Whitaker and members of the churches’ relief teams during a visit Whitaker made to the area May 9.

“The United Methodist Church helped me once, and I was very grateful,” said Frances Hicks, who has owned a small seafood restaurant with her husband for 15 years. “We’ve had to cope with bad weather and closures of the bay. Each time you get further behind, and you need outside help. It’s hard to live daily, plus cover what you’re behind, when you can’t work.”

“We weren’t aware you could get help like this,” Joanne Johnson said.

The Eastpoint church paid one of Johnson’s electric bills and may pay another to help her afford an upcoming surgery. Joanne’s husband, Jeff, said the help surprised him. “You don’t expect anyone to help you. Usually they kick you when you’re down.”

Jeff Johnson has owned a home here since 1987, but worked as an electrician on jobs around the country. He was laid off last year so he and Joanne decided to work in Eastpoint fishing and harvesting oysters. That was about the time the red tide hit.

Like their neighbors, the Johnsons and their three young sons have faced a number of challenges. “We worked on our boat for about two months. Then, the net laws changed, so we had to buy new nets…Then, my nets were stolen. Now, there’s no one to buy the oysters, so we’re trying fishing,” Jeff Johnson said.

Joanne Johnson said she learned about the church’s help from friends who are fisherman. “Jeff was skeptical. He said, ‘You go down and apply,’ ” she said. “We were really worried…just one thing after another. It’s helped a lot.”

Trainer says the relief team is now trying to find ways to help residents more permanently and hopes to use nearly $30,000 left from the UMCOR money for future red tides.

Patmore says more red tides are likely. “This isn’t over. We’re coming into the summer season when oystering isn’t the greatest thing in the world. Plus, the potential for red tides is high [during summer months].”

The Florida Conference has set up Advance #717 to help with the Apalachicola Bay disaster relief effort. Donations can be made through local United Methodist churches. Checks should include “Advance #717, Apalachicola Bay” in the memo line.