Wisconsin church supports storm-weary neighbors responding to tornado devastation
St. Thomas Church in Menasha, Wisconsin, assists with relief efforts after a tornado touched down in the community, destroying and damaging homes and businesses along its path on July 27. Photo by St. Thomas Church, via Facebook
[Episcopal News Service] An Episcopal church in Menasha, Wisconsin, is offering food, parking and comfort to neighboring residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed by a tornado that touched down there on July 27.
St. Thomas Church was not in the path of the tornado but is located near some of the neighborhoods devastated by the storm. Meteorologists later confirmed that an EF-3 tornado had touched down in Wisconsin’s Fox Vally region on the northern end of Lake Winnebago. No fatalities have been reported.
“Please know that your church family is here for you,” St. Thomas said in an initial social media post on the evening of the tornado. “If you need assistance, a pastoral visit, prayers, or someone to talk to, we encourage you to reach out.”
Since then, the church has opened its parking lot to residents who need a place to park their cars while they walk to inspect their damaged homes. On July 28, the congregation served about 300 storm-weary residents a hot lunch of grilled hot dogs and burgers, as well as about 200 bratwursts donated by an organization called Operation BBQ Relief.
Afterward, the Rev. Andy Cruz Lillegard, St. Thomas’ rector, said he and others from the church went on foot to bring additional food and supplies to residents affected by the disaster. “A bunch of us grabbed wagons … simply walked our way in,” Lillegard told Episcopal News Service through a cellphone scratching from patchy reception.
David Chew, center, clears debris at his home July 28 after a tornado hit the day before in Menasha, Wisconsin. Photo: Kayla Wolf/AP
The tornado touched down around noon July 27 in Appleton, reportedly tearing roofs off businesses, and then moved south into Menasha, where it downed trees and caused widespread damage to homes and businesses. It eventually moved over Lake Winnebago before dissipating. Images from the tornado’s path show upended vehicles, homes in ruins, scattered debris, tangled power lines and mangled trees.
St. Thomas, like much of that part of Menasha, was still without power on July 29, and the city has advised residents to boil water until it can ensure the municipal water is safe to drink again.
Some St. Thomas parishioners were among those who lost homes in the storm. Others, including “friends of friends,” are helping the church distribute emergency food and supplies, such as diapers, personal hygiene products, cleaning supplies, flashlights, batteries and bottled water.
“It’s still chaos,” Lillegard said. “But what we’ve noticed is people pitching in to help one another.”
– David Paulsen is a senior reporter and editor for Episcopal News Service based in Wisconsin. He can be reached at dpaulsen@episcopalchurch.org.
