NEW YORK, NEW YORK (ABC 4 News) - Local members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint are bracing for super storm Sandy.
A bishop's warehouse in Maryland is stocked and ready to ship food and emergency supplies in the hardest hit areas. "People can come in whether you're a member or non-member and come and get good and help," said Susan Faust who is the Relief Society President of the Oak Marr Ward in the Oakton Virginia Stake.
Preparations on the ground began as early as last Friday when local church leaders walked door to door handing out lists of emergency supplies that would help families weather the storm. "Like getting water and making sure you had candles when the power goes out," Faust said.
A Relief Society Counselor for the Union Square Young Single Adults Ward, which is located in Manhattan, told us about preparations made during Sunday church services. "We canceled the third hour. We all got together made sure that those who live in an evacuation zone have a place to go," Elise Faust said.
After the storm hits Latter-day Saint Bishop Steven Forsyth says he'll use home teachers (local ward members who regularly visit families) to contact their assigned families to report any needs they may have.
Latter-day Saints are also organizing now to to help after the storm hits. "The stake (a Church organization comprised of several church units) has organized a website where you can basically sing up and say I want to help the community," said Elise Faust.
Church members who sign up will likely help remove debris and serve in New York shelters.
