Cash Donations Sought for Katrina Victims

While a variety of government and private agencies are en route to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina, federal officials said Monday people wanting to help should not head to the affected area unless directed by an agency. Instead, Michael Brown, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, urged people to make cash contributions to organizations.

Cash donations ``allow volunteer agencies to issue cash vouchers to victims so they can meet their needs. Cash donations also allow agencies to avoid the labor-intensive need to store, sort, pack and distribute donated goods. Donated money prevents, too, the prohibitive cost of air or sea transportation that donated goods require.'' FEMA listed the following agencies as needing cash to assist hurricane victims: - 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. - 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

Comments

[Diane]

It's a shame that there is a tragedy like this and then thousands in donations are being handed over to a reality tv star...who was booted out not once, but twice in 3 weeks, and then there is a tragedy like this. America needs to get it's priorties straight

[terry steiden]

If you want to give, give to the salvation army. The red cross is unreliable and unaccountable for money given to them. (not to mention un-american)

[sarahintampa]

So sad...it's tragic. Great list of charities.