More than 3,000 families in eastern Russia have received 160,000 pounds of food, 40,000 pounds of winter clothing and 2,000 blankets donated by the Church and distributed in conjunction with Catholic Relief Services.

Elder David E. Sorensen of the Seventy and president of the Asia North Area traveled here in mid-December with Garry Flake of Church Welfare Services to oversee the distribution of the items.Partizansk, located on the Pacific coast along the Sea of Japan, with a population of about 70,000, was hit hard in the fall by flooding. More than 20 villages surrounding Partizansk also were devasted by floodwaters. Residents of the Kuril Islands to the east, who suffered hardships from an earthquake and tidal wave, also were assisted.

Partizansk is located about 80 miles east of Vladivostok, a city of 500,000 where a branch of the Church was recently organized.

According to those involved with the relief effort, the floods in the area were the worst here in 70 years and could not have happened at a less-opportune time. They hit in September after the harvest. Most of the villagers had stored potatoes, firewood and coal for the winter, and virtually all of that was destroyed or washed away. The potatoes, already placed in cellars, rotted before they could be saved.

Most of those receiving assistance were pensioners with monthly incomes averaging about U.S. $45.

"This was the first such humanitarian-aid distribution by the Church in this part of Russia, and we felt the project was very successful," said Elder Sorensen. "The aid reached thousands of families in need, and we believe it generated goodwill for the Church as well."

He noted that Catholic Relief Services personnel were very cooperative in the effort and opened many doors to facilitate the project, and that the Church's assistance was well-received by government officials.

"We also met with education and public health officials and discussed the possibility of future humanitarian assistance," said Elder Sorensen.

To help facilitate distribution of the food items, 5,300 boxes were prepared and packaged by members in the Salt Lake Valley. In addition to enough food in each box to sustain a family of four for two weeks, cereal for infants and soap were also sent. The food boxes were loaded into four large shipping containers and sent with two containers of blankets and clothing.

While the products were being shipped, Catholic Relief personnel worked with employees of Russia's Department of Social Protection to identify the most needy recipients. The distribution was done in sub-zero temperatures, but went quickly and efficiently.

Brother Flake said that having the food in boxes helped the distribution go quickly, and that the boxes were convenient and easier to carry than if items were given out individually.

Elder Sorensen said that Catholic Relief Services and Social Protection staff who distributed the items were "very attentive to recipients, showing respect and concern while helping them receive the commodities. Every effort was made by all concerned to maintain the dignity of the recipients."

Brother Flake told the Church News that he and Elder Sorensen enjoyed many delightful, warm personal moments while working among the distribution volunteers and recipients. Many recipients openly expressed their gratitude. One elderly woman said: "There was a time when the Russians fed many people; now the time has come when Russians are fed by other people. Thank you."

A husband and wife told Elder Sorensen about their destitute situation. They have four young children to feed, but the husband is out of work and their food, coal and firewood were destroyed by the flood. They expressed deep appreciation for the assistance.

Because of the extreme cold, while they worked Elder Sorensen wore a traditional rabbit-fur Russian hat. One elderly recipient kept repeating to him, "You look like a real Russian."

Elder Sorensen responded, "You are beautiful inside and out."

The elderly woman replied: "Thank you. No one has told me that in 25 years."

"Many lives have been blessed here," Elder Sorensen added. "This effort exemplifies how two churches, in cooperation with a local government, can work together to assist our brothers and sisters in times of extreme need."