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BY LINDA WORTHINGTON

The 84 restricted and low income seniors in the Dunmanway apartment complex across the street from Dundalk UMC lost their power Friday night, Aug. 26, when Hurricane Irene struck the area. It was finally turned on Thursday morning, Sept. 1. That's a long time to survive without food - or oxygen, if you're dependent on a machine, as is William Borkowicz. "I need oxygen to breathe," he said.

"It's like living in the stone age," Willie Mills told ABC news reporter Rob Roblin who covered the story of neighbors helping neighbors Saturday evening.

"The United Methodist Churches stepped up to the needs in our community," said the Rev. L.A. McCrae, director of youth and young adult outreach ministries for UMODE (the United Methodists of Dundalk and Edgemere, including the Patapsco-Lodge Forest Cooperative Parish, the Dundalk-Graceland C.P. and St. Matthews: Turner Station UMC). "We realized this was time for God to use us to meet the needs of our communities."

The Rev. Laurie Gates-Ward first learned of the plight of the neighbors when the mother of Angel Bell, a member of Patapsco UMC and the Dunmanway manager, called to see if Dundalk UMC could be used for meals, but the church had no power either. That's when Patapsco UMC and McCrae became involved.

Many of the elderly and disabled could not eat without the help of the neighbors, McCrae said. Not only would they not have food, but there was no electricity to prepare a meal of what was in the frig or cupboard when winds from Hurricane Irene knocked out the power.

The UMODE volunteers have coordinated and provided meals three times a day, feeding about 60-65 of the residents in group meals in the courtyard adjoining the apartment building. For others, like a 97-year-old unable to leave her apartment, food is delivered.

Ball, the apartment manager, has kept the church informed of the needs. Rebecca Knellinger, the owner of nearby Village Coffee and Tea Company and a church member, provided meals and became the site for food donations, some of which have come from restaurants as far away as Bowie. The restaurant also guaranteed Mr. Borkowicz a place to recharge his oxygen machine.

Support has also come from Chick-Fil-A and Mars, as well as other churches and individuals. One neighbor brought lunch. He said he'd come into a little money and what better way to use it. Steve Cochran from First Fruits Farm provided fresh vegetables.

Even though power has been restored, the church is not done with its outreach to their neighbors in need, McCrae said. Many lost what food they had and are without anything to eat. Volunteers from the five cooperative churches are taking the residents who are able grocery shopping, then paying the bill with donated financial resources.

"We've been coordinating meals all week and are now coordinating an effort to get their lost groceries replaced," Gates-Ward said.

The Rev. Karin Walker, superintendent of the Baltimore Suburban District, delivered a check for $2,000 from conference funds, which will help with the grocery bills.

"We wouldn't know what to do (for food) without you," one resident said as she expressed her appreciation.

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