For those seeking to assist Katrina victims...

[alicia-w]

The Federal Emergency Management Agency lists these organizations for those seeking to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina:

Donate cash
American Red Cross (800) HELP NOW (435-7669) English; (800) 257-7575 Spanish

Operation Blessing (800) 436-6348

America's Second Harvest (800) 344-8070

To donate cash or volunteer
Adventist Community Services (800) 381-7171

Catholic Charities, USA (703) 549-1390

Christian Disaster Response (941) 956-5183 or (941) 551-9554

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (800) 848-5818

Church World Service (800) 297-1516

Convoy of Hope (417) 823-8998

Lutheran Disaster Response (800) 638-3522

Mennonite Disaster Service (717) 859-2210

Nazarene Disaster Response (888) 256-5886

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (800) 872-3283

Salvation Army (800) SAL-ARMY (725-2769)

Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief (800) 462-8657, ext. 6440

United Methodist Committee on Relief (800) 554-8583

[CajunMama]

In Lafayette, the Red Cross thru the United Way is seeking volunteers to man 8 hour shifts at the CajunDome which has opened as a shelter. Contact the United Way in Lafayette for further details at 233-8302. 25 volunteers are needed for each shift.

[dwg71]

Not to seem insensitive, but I would only send money to the Red Cross. Somehow, I see some of these religous organizations skimming off the top some "operating expenses". The Red Cross is the most equipped to handle the situation.

[JenBayles]

For you business owners in the Gulf Coast area, how about providing employment, however temporary, to those dispaced by the storm? Aside from the small handount they might get from FEMA or the Red Cross, they're really going need a way to make some money.

[nativeflacracker]

I have donated to the Red Cross but does anyone have any information for which animal rescue organizations might accept donations for this specific hurricane? I hate to see them stranded too! You sure won't see them going to loot after being saved!

[swampdude]

I cannot speak for the others, but I can assure you that the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Fund does not "skim" anything from the funds for operating expenses. They were one of the first groups to get help to the tsunami victims. In fact, some of the other religious groups encouraged their members to send relief funds through the SBC because of their organization, experience, and logistical advantages. I hope everyone gives generously to the group of their choosing but as dwg encouraged, choose wisely where their money should go.

[NC George]

I, too, will vouch for the Southern Baptists, even though by family I'm Methodist. The bought an abandonded factory near Grifton, NC (about 5 miles from my house) and turned it into a disaster distribution center to help the citizens of Grifton, which was underwater for weeks.

[tndefender]

Actually the American Red Cross has partnered with the Southern Baptist Convention for relief efforts:

"American Red Cross has requested that Southern Baptists prepare 300,000 meals a day for 90 days, which could go as high as half a million meals a day.

Mobile kitchens, shower units, clean-up and recovery units, and communication units from more than 20 states have been activated to staging sites in Memphis, Tenn., and Marshall, Tex.

Jim Burton, director of Volunteer Mobilization for NAMB [North American Mission Board, SBC], reported, "We're working right now to determine where our units will set up in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. We'll be able to assign units on Tuesday, and most should be in place and ready to serve hot meals by Wednesday."

Much of the feeding will be shelter feeding and line feeding, not mobile feeding.

Units and teams from the following conventions have been activated: Northwest, Tennessee, Texas Baptist Men, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, California, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Noth Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia Baptist Mission Board. Other states are on standby."

American Red Cross has requested that Southern Baptists prepare 300,000 meals a day for 90 days, which could go as high as half a million meals a day.

Mobile kitchens, shower units, clean-up and recovery units, and communication units from more than 20 states have been activated to staging sites in Memphis, Tenn., and Marshall, Tex.

Jim Burton, director of Volunteer Mobilization for NAMB, reported, "We're working right now to determine where our units will set up in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. We'll be able to assign units on Tuesday, and most should be in place and ready to serve hot meals by Wednesday."

Much of the feeding will be shelter feeding and line feeding, not mobile feeding.

Units and teams from the following conventions have been activated: Northwest, Tennessee, Texas Baptist Men, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, California, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Noth Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia Baptist Mission Board. Other states are on standby

American Red Cross has requested that Southern Baptists prepare 300,000 meals a day for 90 days, which could go as high as half a million meals a day.

Mobile kitchens, shower units, clean-up and recovery units, and communication units from more than 20 states have been activated to staging sites in Memphis, Tenn., and Marshall, Tex.

Jim Burton, director of Volunteer Mobilization for NAMB, reported, "We're working right now to determine where our units will set up in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. We'll be able to assign units on Tuesday, and most should be in place and ready to serve hot meals by Wednesday."

Much of the feeding will be shelter feeding and line feeding, not mobile feeding.

Units and teams from the following conventions have been activated: Northwest, Tennessee, Texas Baptist Men, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, California, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Noth Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia Baptist Mission Board. Other states are on standby

http://www.namb.net/site/c.9qKILUOzEpH/ ... mepage.htm

100% of funds donated to the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Fund will be used to meet disaster needs.

[inotherwords]

The Red Cross has a website where they accept donations in various forms, including phone, mail, or online via secure credit card:

http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html

If you donate to Red Cross BE SURE to designate on your check or in the memo notes that it's for Katrina relief or it goes into a general fund! Unfortunately the online credit card option only includes a selection for "Hurricane 2005 Relief" and not for this specific effort. I may just call mine in instead so I can specify.

[soonertwister]

I donated earlier today to the Red Cross National Disaster Emergency Fund.

https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp

Do it, they are going to need all the help they can get.

[alicia-w]

I didnt make the list, FEMA did. Please dont politicize here regarding relief efforts. These people need help no matter who provides it.....

[MomH]

If you are hesitant to donate money --- make sure your checks have the notation "For Hurricane Katrina Relief only". Think they are required to see that is what it used for then. I know that the Salvation Army does that anyway.