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ONTARIO — With boots on the ground, churches and ministries in East Palestine have become beacons of light providing hope and support to residents during the toxic train wreck disaster that occurred February 3rd. A mobilized faith community is serving as donation centers, food pantries, and even as railway assistance centers. But those on the frontlines need help.
The Way Station has responded to the crisis in East Palestine by providing food, clothing, water, hygiene products, diapers, cleaning supplies, and gift cards to those in need.
The Way Station exists as a community resource for families and individuals in need; its food pantry, monthly food distribution, job training, support groups and emergency assistance are just a few of the ways the nonprofit reflects the love of Christ.
Local faith leaders are coordinating efforts to assist residents in East Palestine and surrounding areas.
“We are encouraging purchases of bottled water and checks to be made to The Way Station. Cleaning supplies and air & water purification products can also be donated,” says Pastor Dave Rentzel.
According to the Pastor, for drop-off of disaster relief supplies, truck(s) will be stationed in the parking lot of Ontario Abundant Life Tabernacle between 12:00-6:00 PM on Saturday, March 11th. Abundant Life Tabernacle is located at 1085 Bedford Blvd in Ontario, Ohio. The truck(s) will leave the next day for East Palestine. Trucks have been donated by the local Dearman Moving & Storage
Purchases of bottled water and checks can be made to The Way Station. Cleaning supplies and air & water purification products can also be donated. For drop-off of disaster relief supplies, truck(s) will be stationed in the parking lot of Ontario Abundant Life Tabernacle between 12:00-6:00 PM on Saturday, March 11th. Abundant Life Tabernacle is located at 1085 Bedford Blvd in Ontario, Ohio. The truck(s) will leave the next day for East Palestine.
Churches are encouraged to collect supplies throughout the week and then deliver the supplies on Saturday, March 11th to Abundant Life Tabernacle.
“We want to thank Dearman Moving & Storage for providing the transportation to haul these disaster relief supplies. This really is a community effort,” says Pastor Christopher Thomas. “Our faith community has a legacy of assisting those in need and now is the time to love our neighbors as ourselves. We never know the day when we too will be in need.”
In 2021 when the morale of the law enforcement was low nationwide, fourteen local congregations raised funds to support the County Sheriff’s Department and police departments in Mansfield, Ontario, Lexington, Bellville and Butler.
A study conducted by the Richland Community Prayer Network (RCPN) in 2018 of fifty-eight local Bible-based churches found between the years of 2014-2017, they supported missions to an astounding ninety-three different nations around the globe. This generosity occurred when the area was listed as the seventh most economically-challenged metropolitan region in the nation.
Both pastors say the local tradition of giving needs to continue to help those impacted by the East Palestine train derailment. They say this disaster could have happened to any community with a railroad. Even areas downwind and downstream are adversely impacted.
Financial donations can also be mailed to The Way Station at P.O. Box 449, Columbiana, Ohio 44408
The Bottom Line:
The Bible says in Matthew 25, “The righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
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