Emergency
Assistance at Back Bay Mission looks very different than it did before
Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. The Thrift Store, from which local residents
received clothing and household goods free or almost free for many years is
now a slab. It seems difficult for our faithful friends from all over the
country to imagine that because we still receive large boxes of Thrift Store
items delivered to what is currently our only restored building. Unfortunately,
we lack space right now to reactivate the Thrift Store. We regularly provide
food for needy families and give out snack packs to the homeless. Our Food
Pantry has reopened and is stocked with food to feed the hungry. We continue
to help as many people and families as we can with their financial needs.
With fewer agencies now providing emergency assistance, the need is greater
and the stories heart-rending. The Mission continues to provide more than
$12,000 a month in financial assistance for the following:
- mortgage, rent, utility relief, medications, transportation assistance and other miscellaneous items.
- information and referral services
- case management support
At Christmas 2007, we were blessed with considerable help from the community
and were able to distribute boxes of holiday food to some 100 families.Our Emergency Assistance program is moving into a new case management mode that provides counseling for families and has the goal of helping them to become self-sufficient and less dependent on emergency aid. Rosa Blackwood, MSW, is our emergency assistance case manager.
1012 Division Street • Biloxi, MS 39530 • Phone: (228)432-0301 • Fax: (228)374-2922