Deerfield Beach, FL (September 15, 2005) - Food For The Poor and Operation Compassion, in conjunction with churches of various denominations, have expanded the number of locations offering relief assistance to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Over 50 sites, manned by more than 7,500 volunteers, are offering aid throughout the Gulf Coast area. In the city of Biloxi, Yankee Stadium has become one of the prime relief areas, and efforts are underway to assist every church in Biloxi, regardless of denomination, with the clean up process.
Food For The Poor has sponsored many of the disaster relief sites that are being operated by Operation Compassion. All of these sites distribute food, water and emergency relief supplies; six locations are providing 15,000 hot meals per day, and three locations are sites for medical doctors and nurses, seeing 300 patients each day. Nine of the locations are housing approximately 2,000 evacuees, in addition to feeding and providing food for other survivors. The sites are all located in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Since the relief effort began, over 140 tractor-trailers of assistance have been provided by Food For The Poor, and 60 additional containers are scheduled for transport to the area.

Food For The Poor and Operation Compassion have committed to continue their joint efforts for the duration of this national emergency. Food for The Poor is in need of monetary donations to assist with the entire disaster relief effort. In addition to monetary donations, Food For The Poor is accepting donations of hygiene kits at its warehouse in Deerfield Beach for one additional week. Suggested items for the hygiene kit include flashlights with batteries, radios with batteries, soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes, mosquito repellent and antibiotic ointment, packed in shoeboxes for easy distribution. These items will be accepted at 550 S.W. 12th Avenue, Deerfield Beach, between the hours of 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Food For The Poor is the 5th largest international charity in the U.S., and the foremost relief organization working in the Caribbean and Central America. Food For The Poor provides food, emergency relief assistance, education, housing, health care, water projects and micro-enterprise development assistance to hundreds of thousands of the poorest of the poor in the region, while maintaining a low overhead ratio under 4%. See www.foodforthepoor.org or call (954) 427-2222 x 6614 for additional information.

CONTACT:

Ann Briere
Media Relations Manager
(954) 427-2222 x6614
annb@foodforthepoor.org