JANS – On Saturday, April 8, 2023, members from across the Southern Region of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated (PBS) travelled to the Mississippi Delta to lend a helping hand to the more than 100 residents displaced by the catastrophic March 24, 2023 storms. This makes the second week in a row that members of the organization were on the grounds offering support after a series of tornadoes devastated the area, killing 26 people, leaving dozens injured, and decimating communities over an area that stretched more than 200 miles. Nearly a week after the storms, thousands were still without electricity, water, and gas as nighttime temperatures dropped near freezing.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. worked with the Red Cross, the Disaster Recovery Services, and other civic groups to provide funding for lodging to about 96 families and distribute care packages that included hygiene products, emergency kits, food, and cleaning supplies.
Louis Sutton, who is the PBS – Southern Regional Director for Social Action, said, “The scale of devastation we’ve seen throughout this community is almost indescribable. We are here to help but we are also here to get into “Good Trouble”. Our hope is that as we continue to support this region and share our experiences here, more attention will be brought to the needs of this community.”
Sedric Scott, PBS – State Director for Mississippi, said, “The hurt felt by the complete loss of homes and property is only surpassed by the pains left by the loss of lives. Small cities like Rolling Fork and Anguilla are as much like families as they are towns. With today being Good Friday we know that many families here will find it hard celebrating this year. Our prayer is that our presence offers them some encouragement to begin their healing process.”
Synarus Green, PBS – Jackson-Metropolitan Area Chapter President, said, “We have family and friends from this area who literally lost everything they had in mere minutes. The Delta, unfortunately, has been under-resourced and suffering from divestment for decades. This recovery process will be long and difficult but we are committed to doing our part so at least those impacted know they don’t have to do it alone.”
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated is a non-profit service organization whose mission is to enrich communities through programming developed around education, the promotion of minority businesses, mentorship, and health & wellness. The Southern Region of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. is comprised of approximately 200 chapters from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and the Bahamas. Through the collective efforts of their nearly five hundred thousand members worldwide, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. is committed to building strong families, enriching communities, and caring for the most vulnerable and underserved.
