State officials have enlisted Baptist volunteers to support the efforts of workers battling Texas wildfires that have caused four deaths and destroyed more than 1,000 homes.
Texas Baptist Men was asked to cook 5,000 meals per day for firefighters and first responders in the hardest-hit Bastrop area, about 25 miles from Austin. The Tarrant Baptist Association feeding unit began serving meals Sept. 5 staffed by about 30 volunteers.
The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention fed about 4,500 emergency responders over Labor Day weekend in Palo Pinto County west of Fort Worth, where wildfires destroyed 39 homes. Wrapping up that operation, the feeding unit also headed toward Bastrop and Montgomery counties.
The Bastrop wildfire is the most severe of more than 180 wildfires reported in the past week across the drought-stricken state. It has destroyed more than 600 home and blackened 45 square miles.
Aided by lighter winds and increased humidity, Texas Forest Service officials said Wednesday the blaze was about 30 percent contained.
Presidential Candidate Govenor Rick Perry shows emotion over wildfires
Texas is home to many Gospel artists including Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Myron Butler, James Fortune, Fred Hammond, Kurt Carr, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and many others. None of whom have been seriously effected by the tragedy.
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