Oklahoma Tornado: Cleaning buckets always appreciated

“Our material resource ministry is extremely important for two reasons,” said the Rev. Tom Hazelwood, who formerly headed UMCOR’s disaster response in the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America.

“It provides people who sit in the pew an opportunity to use their hands in a tangible way to respond to disasters and help individuals all over the world when they cannot personally go and volunteer. They are still the hands of Christ that have put the kit together.”

Read more about relief supplies here.

How disaster giving works

When both the United Methodist Committee on Relief and an annual conference ask for funds, United Methodists who want to help in a disaster might be uncertain where to send donations.

Conferences may set up their own funds to help with the immediate needs of housing, food, shelter and transportation. Conference fundraising is intended for raising money within the conference to meet immediate needs.

Giving to UMCOR through The Advance, the United Methodist official giving channel, ensures that 100 hundred percent of each donation goes directly to the need specified. UMCOR’s administrative costs are covered through a separate fund supported by One Great Hour of Sharing.

Read more about how disaster giving works.


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Mission and Ministry
The Rev. Dr. Michael L. Bowie Jr. Photo courtesy of the author.

A clean page for a critical time

Moving into a new year, Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century is working to meet the urgent needs of Black congregations.
Racism
The Rev. Mike Hickcox. Photo courtesy of the author.

Celebrate Black History Month by listening to historic voices

Key figures in the Civil Rights Movement were interviewed on “Night Call,” a 1960s-era call-in radio program from United Methodist Communications.
Mission and Ministry
Volunteers pack relief supply kits at the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, La. UMCOR announced that it will no longer operate the depot, starting January 2027, as it looks to modernize the way the relief agency manages materials and reduce costs. Photo courtesy of the Louisiana Conference.

Sager Brown Depot to close as UMCOR shifts relief kit work

The United Methodist Committee on Relief said the changes will reduce costs while strengthening its disaster response ministry.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved