Source: Press Release
HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA, September 17, 2008: In the wake of Hurricane Ike, Hindu temples have been stepping forward to help those in need.
The BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Stafford was open on Sunday and served food to over 500 people. BAPS volunteers also served 400 hot meals at a Stafford shelter which has been set up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Anyone and everyone is welcome to take advantage of this, said Rasesh Dalal, spokesman for the Vallabh Priti Seva Samaj of Houston. If you do not have power or other utilities, please feel free to come and use the facilities of our lovely Vallabh Hall. We have showers, facility of some bedding and large kitchen. Please bring items of personal needs and sleeping beds, if you have any. We can provide food and shelter at no cost to all our guests.”
Barsana Dham in Austin has been providing lodging to over 200 people, continuing to welcome 15 to 20 new arrivals from Houston each day. Most say they are coming because their power may not be restored for a week or longer.
Chinmaya Mission centers in Dallas and Austin also provided shelter to people who evacuated from the Houston area. Sewa International is working with Hindus of Greater Houston to coordinate relief for international students, who are suffering a lot due to lack of electricity, food and transportation. The University of Houston opens Tuesday and the students are facing difficulties in attending classes.
Most of the temples in the area suffered varying degrees of damage from the hurricane. A devotee, after making failed attempts to contact some of the affected temples, said there is a need for an emergency committee to take care of the temples during natural disasters. “The committee could meet before such emergencies and chalk out a plan of action and relief efforts after the emergency, Mr. Padmakanth Khambati said. He suggested that all temples should have generators to work during power failures.
All who wish to help in the relief efforts are urged to contact these organizations so that your energy can be put to the most effective use. For more information, visit hindusofhouston.net