Adventist Community Services Opens Distribution Centers to Help Tornado Victims in St. Louis

On Friday, May 23, Adventist Community Services (ACS) partnered with Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church to open a disaster relief distribution center in St. Louis. This center is helping people affected by the May 16 tornado by giving out important supplies like disinfectant spray, detergent, fresh fruit, diapers, dry ice, and non-perishable food items.

Pastor McKenzie and his team will continue the effort on Friday, May 30, by holding another distribution at Lighthouse Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he also serves as pastor. Berean Church will remain a distribution site, along with the St. Louis Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church. ACS leaders from the Iowa-Missouri Conference are working on securing a warehouse to store more supplies and deliver them to these key locations.

Pastor McKenzie expressed deep thanks for the support ACS has provided:

“We are deeply grateful to Adventist Community Services (ACS) for their generous financial support which enabled us to respond swiftly and compassionately to the needs of our community in the aftermath of the recent tornado in St. Louis. Through this funding, we organized a community giveaway event where we provided essential supplies—such as food, hygiene items, and household necessities—to 47 individuals and 17 families directly impacted by the disaster.

This act of compassion was more than just a distribution of goods; it was a demonstration of God’s love in action. On behalf of the Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church, I thank ACS for equipping us to be the hands and feet of Jesus during a time of urgent need. Your partnership has brought hope, dignity, and tangible relief to our neighbors—and for that, we are truly thankful.”

Elder Tyrone Douglas, director of Church Ministries and ACS for the Mid-America Union, also shared his gratitude:

“We’re thankful for the pastors, volunteers, and ACS teams from the Central States and Iowa-Missouri Conferences. They are answering the call to be the hands and feet of Jesus.”

He also expressed appreciation to the City of St. Louis and the Mayor’s office for helping ACS identify resources and warehouse space to reach those hardest hit.

To strengthen these efforts, Elder Douglas and Derrick Lea, executive director of ACS for the North American Division, are working with ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) on a grant to secure additional funding for future distributions, long-term needs, and ongoing logistics.

“Our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragedy,” said Elder Douglas.

“We’re committed to supporting the community through this challenging time by providing necessary resources and assistance.”

ACS says it plans to hold more distribution events in the coming weeks. While the next large-scale giveaway date is not yet set, updates will be posted online soon.

Lea added,

“Our ACS teams from the Central States and Iowa-Missouri Conferences are faithfully living out the mission of Adventist Community Services. They are serving communities in Christ’s name by making sure those affected by the tornado receive essential goods.”