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CV NEWS FEED // Catholic communities, neighborhoods, and churches are working to gather and distribute donations to those affected by the ongoing Southern California fires, according to recent reports.
Antonio Huerta, who coordinates the charismatic prayer group at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Altadena, has been using his home as an emergency supplies distribution center since Jan. 9, after learning his parish remains in an evacuation zone due to the Eaton Fire, while his residence, in Pasadena, no longer was, according to Angelus News.
Huerta and his wife received such an overwhelming influx of donations from fellow parishioners that they announced on Jan. 12 that they were temporarily declining them, Angelus News reported. The center offers clothing, shoes, food and various personal hygiene items to aid fire victims who have lost their homes.
“We’re people of faith, and as part of our prayer group, we’re always praying for the needs of others,” said Huerta, according to Angelus News. “I think the Lord used us in this moment, because neither I nor my wife planned any of this. We just responded to the circumstances, the needs of the moment.”
St. Andrew Catholic Church and School in Pasadena has helped lead similar neighborhood organizations aiding those affected by the ongoing fires, according to local news outlet Pasadena Now.
As of Jan. 8, the school was serving as a relief center where small businesses and volunteers prepared meals and donated items such as clothing and personal hygiene products. Similar to the Huertas, the school has since received many donations and is only accepting non-perishable foods to avoid waste, Pasadena Now reported.
“The generosity is amazing,” St. Andrew Principal Jay Kim told Pasadena Now. “It’s just been a true blessing.”
As CatholicVote previously reported, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has outlined various ways individuals can aid those most severely hit by the fires, and Archbishop José H. Gomez has urged continuous prayers for the victims of the fires and the officials working to contain the fires.
The Archdiocese has also developed a donation portal to assist neighborhoods, schools, and parishes greatly impacted by the continued fires.
>>Los Angeles Catholic churches open doors to families fleeing fires<<
