Pastors: Katrina rebuilding just starting

Kendrick Brinson/The Daily Advance

    The Rev. Ricky Banks (left), of St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church, and the Rev. Alvin Boone, of Milton Grove Baptist Church, talk Thursday about their recent trip to Gulfport, Miss. to help with the ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina. It will be years before parts of the Gulf Coast fully recover from the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, say two local pastors who recently visited the region.

    The Revs. Ricky Banks and Alvin Boone Sr. spent three days in November assisting members of St. James Baptist Church in Gulfport, Miss. Hurricane Katrina came ashore on the Gulf Coast nearly six months ago. But the destruction it left on parts of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi remains so widespread that it appears the rebuilding effort has only begun, Banks and Boone said. "On no, it's in its infancy stage right now," said Banks, pastor at St. Stephens Missionary Baptist Church in Elizabeth City. "I think it will be about the next 10 or 15 years before they get it back close to where they were" before Katrina hit.

    The two pastors departed Elizabeth City Nov. 2 with supplies to disperse to people in Gulfport whose homes were destroyed by the storm. "We took a truckload of supplies and donations from (local) businesses, as well as (from) individuals," Banks said. What they saw when they arrived in Gulfport was unimaginable, they said. "We were shocked .... We'd been hearing about it on the news," Banks said. "Things were totally destroyed. It was unreal." "We were there in November and they were still finding bodies," said Boone, pastor of Melton Grove Baptist Church in Winfall. "That was something we didn't want to see."

    In addition to delivering supplies to needy residents, Banks, Boone and about 40 other volunteers made repairs to residents' homes. Boone's skills as a carpentry contractor were especially helpful, Banks said. "I went there to be his helper," Banks said, laughing. Under Boone's guidance, the volunteers repaired the roofs of four damaged houses in three days. Other homes the group inspected had to be condemned because the roofs were so badly destroyed, Boone said.

    At night Banks, Boone and the other volunteer workers slept on the pews inside the chapel at St. James. They were fed three times a day by church members and St. James' pastor, the Rev. James Hartwell. Banks said the work he and Boone did in Mississippi has created a lot of excitement among their parishioners. The two are planning to take another load of supplies to Mississippi next month, and they're currently seeking donations from area residents. According to Banks, some of the items needed include toiletries, cleaning supplies, canned meats, canned fruit, soups and vegetables. For more information on how to donate supplies call St. Stephens Baptist at 335-5003, or Melton Grove Baptist at 426-3032.