Baton Rouge, LA-One week after Hurricane Gustav barreled across the Gulf Coast, Catholic Charities' recovery work continues full throttle. Donations to help victims of the hurricane get back on their feet are falling short of what is needed to support the organization's humanitarian relief efforts.
"While we are extremely grateful that the damage left by Hurricane Gustav was not as catastrophic as Hurricane Katrina, that doesn't mean that people are not struggling," said Kim Burgo, director of disaster response for Catholic Charities USA. "Unfortunately despite the ongoing needs here in the Gulf Coast, the media and public's attention have turned elsewhere."
In communities throughout the region, local Catholic Charities agencies have mobilized to provide help and create hope to thousands of residents hard hit by the hurricane.
With power outages continuing to plague parts of the region, food, water, ice, and other necessities remain in high demand as store shelves are rapidly emptying. To help hurricane victims, Catholic Charities' volunteers and staff are distributing thousands of hot meals at mobile canteens and operating 10 community resources sites throughout the area. Here families can access food, water, ice, hygiene kits, tarps and cleanup supplies, along with other necessities to rebuild after the devastating storm.
Catholic Charities agencies are helping people like Brandy Usea of Kraemer, LA. Social Services of Houma-Thibodaux's volunteers served her family hot meals of stew, mashed potatoes, water and cookies. Brandy, her husband, Michael, and two children, Kylee and Collin, evacuated to Mississippi for five days only to return home to find no power, no food, and very little resources.
Like many other evacuees, Brandy, a cafeteria worker, and her husband, a sheet metal worker, lost several days' pay because they could not go to work. "I don't know what we are going to do yet to pay the bills," she said.
In addition to helping families with their basic needs, Catholic Charities' recovery efforts include: offering gas cards and other aid to assist stranded evacuees in their return home; providing crisis counseling and case management, sending truckloads of food and other supplies to impacted areas; and continuing damage assessment to identify ongoing needs.
"We also can not forget that many of the people hurt by Gustav were victims of Hurricane Katrina," said Burgo. "Many were just starting to get their lives back in order, only to be hit by a second big hurricane three years later."
Catholic Charities USA is collecting financial donations to support its Hurricane Gustav recovery efforts.
To contribute to Catholic Charities USA's response efforts:
Call (800) 919-9338
Visit http://www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
Send checks to:
Catholic Charities USA
2008 Hurricanes
PO Box 17141
Baltimore, MD 21297-114
Catholic Charities USA is unable to accept contributions of food, clothing, blankets and other relief supplies. Its federal ID number is 53-0196620.
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Catholic Charities USA's members-more than 1,700 local agencies and institutions nationwide-provide help and create hope for nearly 8 million people of all faiths and social and economic backgrounds. For more than 280 years, local Catholic Charities agencies have been providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from day care and counseling to food and housing. For more information, visit www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org.
Contact: Shelley Borysiewicz
Manager of Media Relations
(703) 236-6218