Catholic Charities USA is collecting financial donations to help communities recover from the damage brought on by violent storms and at least one tornado that ripped through central Florida this morning. Donations will be used to fund Catholic Charities of Orlando's recovery efforts.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Orlando is coordinating its response efforts with FEMA, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and other local agencies. Catholic Charities of Orlando has sent out more than 3,000 ready-to-eat meals to meet the immediate needs of families who were made homeless or left with out electricity as a result of the storms. Working with St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities is mobilizing 200 volunteers. In addition, the Orlando Catholic Charities has made its mental health counselors available.
To help the local response, Catholic Charities USA has mobilized 1,000 packets each of clean-up kits, light weight blankets, health kits, and baby kits. CCUSA has made an additional 5,000 meals available to Catholic Charities of Orlando.
Catholic Charities USA, which has been commissioned by the U.S. Catholic Bishops to represent the Catholic community in times of domestic disaster, responds with emergency and long-term assistance as needed. Its Disaster Response Office connects the Church's social service agencies and disaster planning offices across the nation.
To contribute to the tornado fund:
Call (800) 919-9338 Visit http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org
Send checks to
Catholic Charities USA Orlando Tornado PO Box 7068