On Friday, May 16th, a tornado struck Eastern Missouri, moving through communities in St. Louis Country and parts of the city of St. Louis. Several people were killed or injured, others lost their homes, many were without power for up to a week, and some were immobilized by roads blocked by destroyed trees and vehicles.

The Missouri Area, its members, and Malta Mobile Ministries have been quick to join in efforts to respond to this disaster. Larry Koesterer, KM, coordinated with the St. Louis City alderman in the affected area and the Malta Mobile Ministries van to deliver supplies to relief workers and those lost supplies of refrigerated food. Malta Mobile Ministries has also scheduled special deliveries to the area with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which has also received Area funds for its disaster relief efforts.

Many Order of Malta members have contributed to the special collections for tornado relief made at the direction of Archbishop Mitchel Rozanski, ChC. The Missouri Area will continue to assist in the recovery efforts in the months to come.