In the aftermath of the devastating hurricanes, Helene and Milton, earlier this month, Brandon Weast, the Food Pantry Manager for St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho, felt a strong calling to assist with hurricane relief efforts. 

On Saturday, October 19th, Brandon and Team Rubicon, a veteran-led organization dedicated to disaster response, arrived in Florida, prepared to make a meaningful impact.

Currently in Greenwood County, South Carolina, Brandon participated in a resource fair alongside FEMA and the Red Cross. It was here that he met John, an amputee whose carport had been crushed by a fallen tree. Other rescue providers had informed John that they were unable to assist him, leaving him in a precarious situation. With limited resources and manpower in the area, Brandon and his team recognized that if the carport collapsed, the tree could ultimately destroy John's mobile home. They quickly rallied to support him and ensure his safety.

Earlier this week in South Carolina, Brandon learned that 2,735 families were seeking shelter at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto, FL. Understanding the urgent need for food, he swiftly coordinated with Feeding America, a partner of St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho, to arrange for a semi-truck filled with supplies to travel from Chicago, IL. He hopes this shipment is just the beginning, as he works on coordinating regular deliveries for the next two months to provide ongoing support for those affected.

Brandon and Team Rubicon are currently staying at South Maine Baptist Church. During his time there, he met a local restaurant owner seeking guidance on how to support his community. After some consideration, the owner decided to organize his staff to sponsor a family for the holidays. Despite running a small restaurant, his eagerness to share resources and help those in need exemplifies the community spirit that often shines through in times of crisis.

To support Brandon's vital work and cover the out-of-pocket costs for him and his team's travel, we hope our St. Vincent de Paul community can come together to raise $3,000, ensuring that he can continue his mission of bringing hope and relief to those affected by the hurricane.