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By Britt Combs | The McDowell News

Published: February 14, 2010

The human tragedy in the wake of the earthquake in Haiti will be a long time subsiding. The devastated island nation just a two hour flight from Florida is a scene of desperation.
Jerry Lewis, pastor at Grace Community Church in Pleasant Gardens, has announced a relief effort that will kick off today. Buckets of Hope seeks to fill empty bellies for an extended period of time as the Haitian people begin the long rebuilding effort.
The Haitian government has confirmed 230,000 people killed in the earthquake that struck Jan. 12. Approximately 300,000 were confirmed injured, and hundreds of thousands have been left homeless and unemployed.
Lewis said a sustained relief effort will be needed, and Buckets of Hope is a great way to help.
Organized by the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Missions Board, the program asks that you fill a 5-grallon bucket with basic staples that will feed families that are struggling daily for survival.
Area merchants are participating, Lewis explained. You can get a 5-gallon bucket and lid at Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse for $3. Take it to the grocery and fill it with two 5-pound bags of rice, a 48-ounce bottle of cooking oil, a 5-pound bag of flour, a 20-ounce container of sugar, a 1-pound box of spaghetti, a 40-ounce jar of peanut butter and a 2-gallon Ziploc bag to contain the bottle of cooking oil.
"I just shopped and bought all the stuff for my first one," Lewis stated, "and I did it all for about $23.
"You know, when you think about taking your family out to eat, that's at least a $30 proposition," he added. "For less than $25, you can feed an entire family for a week."
Collection will begin today. Drop-off points have been established at the following locations:
-- First Baptist Church of Old Fort (442-4105), Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with afternoon hours from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday
-- Grace Community Church (724-9599), Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
-- Blue Ridge Baptist Association (460-6290) Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The last drop off will be collected March 11. From there, the goods will be shipped to Haiti, where it will save lives and restore hope to a desperate people.
There are many ways to help. More information can be had by calling Grace during regular business hours, Lewis stated. You can also learn more by seeing displays at Frisbee's