WHITELAND — Ahead of Easter Sunday, the town of Whiteland is still recovering from Friday’s tornadoes.
Stephanie Bowman was hard at work on Thursday to make sure her community feels supported during this time.
“The people that live here are amazing. It’s a small town. We’re close-knit," Bowman said.
She's a volunteer at HeavenEarth Church, which is serving as one of the central distribution sites for impacted families.
“I come back because I love to serve. God put me on this earth to care for other people and that’s what I like to do," Bowman said.
Bowman was just one of dozens lifting boxes, organizing items and stocking shelves on Thursday.
Pews are filled with the following donations:
- Diapers in all sizes, courtesy of Grace United Methodist and Human Services, Inc.
- Food, including gallons of milk and bread
- Flashlights
- Tarps, ponchos and 42-gallon trash bags
- Hygiene items
- Pet food
- Several Chick Fil-A meal cards
Over the past few days, they’ve helped over 50 families in house, in addition to going out into the community to meet the needs.
“This is our mission," Pastor Ross Stackhouse said. “The church is for this. The church is for mercy and justice.”
Stackhouse didn’t think twice before springing into action on Monday.
This tragedy comes during the most sacred time in his faith. He said this Sunday will look a little different than years past.
“I’ll never forget this Easter," Stackhouse said. “But it’ll probably be the best Easter Sunday. People will have a visual reminder that our purpose is not to get inside a room for a service for one hour a week. That is not why the church exists. The church exists to be the people of God out there with people.”
For Christians, the holiday is about rebirth.
Bowman says that’s exactly what is happening in this Johnson County community.
“He was beaten, he was crowned with a crown of thorns. He gave it all and it through nothing that he did. This tornado is an act of nature, nothing that anybody did. Just like Jesus rose, our community will rise again," Bowman said.
HeavenEarth Church is open for folks in need from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
If you’d like to drop off donations, you can do so at the Impact Center and The Refuge both located in Greenwood.
The church will have an Easter service beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.
-
Circle City Sweets prepares hundreds of king cakes for Mardi Gras
It’s Fat Tuesday, and for Circle City Sweets at The AMP, it’s the busiest holiday of the year. On Monday morning, owner Cindy Hawkins and her team are hard at work, preparing 100 king cakes.
Police organizations mobilize after Beech Grove officer killed
In addition to a growing memorial, local police support groups are standing ready to help the department and his family through this difficult time.
State lawmakers consider cutting early voting period to 16 days under amendment
House Bill 1359 amendment divides election officials, with supporters citing cost savings and critics warning of reduced voter access and potential turnout suppression
Indiana law enforcement share support following death of Beech Grove officer
Law enforcement agencies and organizations across the state are sharing their support for Beech Grove following the tragic death of Officer Brian Elliot in the line of duty.
