The Ferncliff Disaster Assistance Center was able to provide more than 4,000 pounds of kits and supplies – like hygiene kits, period packs, blankets and toothpaste – to those effected by the deadly tornadoes in Northwest Arkansas on the morning of May 26. 

The US National Weather Service confirmed that seven tornadoes swept through Boone and Marion County, with the largest reported as an F-3 with winds of up to 140 mph. This storm left many without electricity, housing, and basic necessities.

Three organizations in Northwest Arkansas requested Disaster Assistance Kits from Church World Service in the weeks afterward. First Presbyterian Church in Bentonville received hygiene kits, toothpaste, and period packs delivered on May 31 by volunteer Duke Monroe. On June 5, Rev. John Arnold of the First Presbyterian Church in Rogers picked up hygiene kits and toothpaste. Fleece blankets, school kits, hygiene kits, and toothpaste were shipped to The Adventist Community Services in Gentry, Arkansas on June 10, 2024. These organizations distribute the kits and materials to those in need in the community. The kits and supplies are provided at no cost to the receiving organization or the recipients.

“Churches or nonprofits can request items from our partner organization, Church World Service, and because we keep an inventory of kits and supplies in our warehouse, we can react quickly and send items as soon as possible,” said Emily Hooker, Director of Mission and Outreach.

A unique area for outreach and mission work at Ferncliff is our 10,000-sq ft Disaster Assistance Center, better known as “the DAC.” The DAC is operated through a covenant relationship with Church World Service (CWS) and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). Volunteers help keep our operations running smoothly by inspecting and re-boxing donations, building new kits from scratch, organizing loose supplies, inventorying our kits and supplies, and preparing pallets of boxes for storage/shipment. 

Churches & groups from all over the country can send assembled kits, kit supplies, or provide monetary donations to the Ferncliff DAC. There is an ever-expanding network of smaller “kit depots” in churches across the country; these depots collect kits a few times a year and coordinate deliveries to the main processing facilities to save donor groups from incurring shipping costs. Ferncliff also owns a box truck that can assist with kit collection and kit distribution in the Central Arkansas area.

We are so grateful for the support we have in this important ministry. Our disaster assistance operations are made possible through partners, volunteers, and donors like you. Thank you for your gifts to support Ferncliff and this important outreach ministry.

For more information about our mission & outreach operations, contact Emily at emily@ferncliff.org!