Sumter church collecting supplies for Hurricane Florence victims

The Bethesda Church of God in Sumter is collecting supplies this week and delivering them to areas affected by Hurricane Florence.

“Our choice destination is Wilmington (North Carolina), but it might be unreachable on Saturday,” Missions Director Jonathan Houston said. “We’ll have to see if the water recedes.”

If they are unable to reach Wilmington, the church will deliver supplies to Cheraw, Conway, Chesterfield and other northeastern portions of South Carolina damaged by the storm.

The church partnered with Operation Compassion for the project. Operation Compassion is also providing five truckloads of items coming from Cleveland, Tennessee, to the Wilmington and New Bern, North Carolina, areas depending on road conditions.

“All we (the church) have to pay for is fuel and hotels,” Houston said.

The church is asking for items such as miscellaneous cleaning supplies, diapers, baby wipes, water, toilet paper, hygiene products, feminine products, first aid and non-perishable bagged or boxed food items. People can donate items starting on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Thursday at the same time at the Bethesda Church of God, which is located at 2730 Broad St. where Lowe’s used to be.

“Anybody who would like to make a monetary donation, go to www.bethesdacog.org,” Houston said. “One hundred percent of the funds go to where it’s donated; we don’t keep administrative fees.”