OXFORD — Community leaders, churches and nonprofit organizations in Oxford and Lafayette County have launched a coordinated relief effort to assist residents recovering from Winter Storm Fern.
The Oxford-Lafayette Community Assistance Fund was created as a collaborative response to provide financial assistance to individuals and families facing storm-related hardship. Organizers say the effort is designed to bridge the gap while residents wait for potential state or federal assistance.
Rather than establishing a single centralized donation site, participating churches and nonprofit partners are working through their own networks and channels to coordinate giving and distribute aid quickly where it is most needed.
Initial assistance will focus on urgent needs affecting safety and housing stability, including electrical repairs, plumbing repairs, tree removal and debris hazards. Organizers said additional categories of support may be added as needs are assessed and resources grow.
Residents of the city of Oxford or Lafayette County experiencing verified storm-related hardship may request assistance through a community intake process. Walk-up intake hours will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 18 through Feb. 28 at the Old OPC Building, located under the Blue Oxford Water tower at 310 S. 15th St.
Requests may also be submitted online at https://tinyurl.com/fernhelp or by calling 662-234-1100.
Applications will be reviewed by a collaborative assessment team led by Doors of Hope in partnership with the North Mississippi Exchange Family Center. The team will verify eligibility, prioritize urgent safety concerns and match approved cases with available resources. When possible, payments will be made directly to licensed vendors or service providers for verified repairs.
Participating church partners include Oxford-University United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church Oxford, First Presbyterian Church and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Community and nonprofit partners include Doors of Hope and the North Mississippi Exchange Family Center.
Organizers are also building a network of licensed local vendors to assist with recovery work, prioritizing electrical and plumbing repairs and tree removal. Community members may submit vendor information through an online form. Participation in the network does not guarantee work assignments but allows businesses to be considered as recovery needs arise.
Organizations interested in joining the coordinated fundraising effort may contact Chris McAlilly, lead pastor of Oxford-University United Methodist Church, at [email protected].
Organizers said the goal of the fund is to help neighbors recover, rebuild and remain safely housed through a shared community response.
