When severe flooding impacted our community in August, Reynoldsburg Community Church (RCC) was honored to come alongside local residents, community leaders, and relief organizations to provide support, hope, and practical assistance. As part of our ongoing commitment to serving our neighbors, RCC opened its Community Center as a resource hub for recovery efforts following the August 20 flooding event.
From September 2–5, the RCC Community Center served as the location for the Multi-Agency Relief Center (MARC), coordinated by the Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Department in partnership with the City of Reynoldsburg. Multiple agencies worked together under one roof to help residents begin the recovery process, including the American Red Cross, United Way, Salvation Army, Ohio Department of Health, Department of Job & Family Services, Franklin County Council on Aging, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team, and Reynoldsburg Police Department social workers and translators.
Throughout the relief effort, families received essential resources such as disaster cleanup buckets, hygiene kits, cleaning supplies, personal care items, and grocery gift cards. RCC members also generously donated gift cards for groceries and hardware stores to help flood-affected families address immediate needs. More than $2,500 in gift cards were distributed directly to families working to recover from the flooding.
One of the most meaningful aspects of this partnership was RCC’s collaboration with the American Red Cross. Together, we helped connect disaster victims with financial assistance while also providing prayer, encouragement, and personal support. Through donations given by RCC members and attenders, more than $13,474 was raised to assist flood-affected residents, with additional donations still being received.
As part of these efforts, 37 households received $250 grants to help meet their most pressing recovery needs, with additional assistance still pending. Families used these funds in a variety of ways, including hotel stays after homes were condemned, replacing damaged appliances such as washers and dryers, covering insurance deductibles, and securing deposits for temporary housing.
Beyond financial assistance, RCC volunteers and ministry leaders spent time listening to residents’ stories, hearing about their fears and uncertainties, and offering encouragement during a difficult season. Many families shared photos and videos of the damage they experienced, allowing our team to better understand their challenges and walk alongside them in practical and meaningful ways. RCC also staffed a prayer station in partnership with the Red Cross, creating opportunities to minister to those navigating loss and uncertainty.
While the resources provided were important, the relationships formed were equally significant. Through conversations, prayer, and compassionate care, RCC was able to demonstrate the love of Christ while helping neighbors take their next steps toward recovery. This effort not only met immediate needs but also created lasting connections within our community.
We are grateful for the generosity of our church family, the collaboration of community partners, and the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus during a time of need. Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, prayed, and supported these efforts. Together, we were able to bring both practical help and lasting hope to our neighbors when they needed it most.
