In March, Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said he would call on President Trump and legislative leaders on both the state and federal levels to find a way to help faith-based organizations and churches struggling due to an economic slowdown caused by the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Friday, he made good on that promise, sending a letter to Trump.

Below is the contents of the letter:

“As Mayor of the City of Vicksburg, Mississippi, I respectfully request that you include faith-based communities and churches in the relief package available to non-profit corporations. Mississippi is known for its generosity and helping those in need. I believe that most of the needs of the poor in society are met by faith-based communities and churches. These communities and churches might not be officially organized as non-profit corporations, but they certainly provide the same or more necessary services to citizens in our communities.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the faith-based communities and churches have suffered by not being allowed to have services of greater than 10 persons present. Faith-based communities and churches rely on the financial giving of their congregation who are no longer present and many of whom are no longer employed.  These faith-based communities and churches are typically the ones who fill in the social services gaps such as food pantries, medical clinics for the poor, utility payments for those in need, shelters for the homeless and other social services.

It is my hope that these faith-based communities and churches can also be eligible for funding under the CARES Act just as non-profit corporations and other charities are eligible. Thank you for your consideration.”