Eight Days Of Hope Prepares For Largest Relief Effort Yet

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo based ministry is preparing for its largest project yet and it involves helping families in Texas, still struggling months after record floods from Hurricane Harvey.

Less than one month after Hurricane Harvey caused historic flooding in Houston, Eight Days of Hope was helping homeowners clean debris.   Now, another volunteer effort is weeks away.

“We are hoping to rebuild 700 to 800 homes, we are really excited. It’s going to be the largest rebuilding trip of its kind ever in America,” said Eight Days of Hope President Steve Tybor.

The ministry began in 2005, after Tybor helped coordinate a mission to the Gulf Coast, to help homeowners in the path of Hurricane Katrina.  Since then,  the ministry has helped people across the country rebuild after natural disasters.  Trips usually last eight days, but the need in Houston is so big, two trips are being combined, for Eight Days of Hope 14 and 15.

“Think baseball double header, so literally from the 10th to the 24th, we will touch as many people as we can.  Today, we ordered kitchen cabinets for 200 families, a million dollars in cabinets that will be installed by volunteers from all over the country , for free, all in the name of Jesus,” he said.

Eight Days of Hope never charges homeowners for its services and volunteers don’t pay to go on mission trips.  Volunteers stay in area churches, and food is provided.

“We kiddingly call it eight pounds of hope cause we feed you really good,” Tybor said.

In the past year, Eight Days of Hope has added a mobile feeding unit, and shower trailers. Tybor says volunteers go for one primary reason.

“So many times our volunteers get asked, why would you come from around the country, New York , Oregon, and that gives them a three minute opportunity to share why God has called them to help people in need,” he said.

Volunteers can be skilled, or unskilled. Tybor says all that’s needed is a desire to help those who feel they have no hope and nowhere to turn.

There is still time to volunteer. For more information on how to do that, go to eightdaysofhope.com