How to Help Victims of Katrina

[Hakim]

If You Want to Help ...
Lists For Your Information

It is impossible to describe accurately or truly feel the scope of this tragedy that has affected all Americans so deeply. We are all shocked, saddened and numbed.

Each of us can search deeply in our hearts and souls and find as many ways as possible to aide and assist our fellow citizens who have been struck by the natural disaster.

Sadly, in such times as these, there may arise depraved people who essentially steal money from unsuspecting people trying to help, by soliciting funds with no intention of relaying them to any one.

While is it commendable, even compulsory, to help, we suggest that you please do so through officially recognized national, state and local organizations. If you are uncertain of how to help, contact your local church or Fire Department.

Please do not send money to TBN or anyone on this forum. No one associated with TBN is officially sanctioned to collect funds. If anyone solicits funds via private messaging, please notify administrators immediately.

Also, the Better Business Bureau's “Wise Giving Alliance” offers tips on avoiding unscrupulous fund solicitors. Go to http://www.Give.org.

Useful Lists for Your Information

The following is a non-exclusive list of agencies and organizations accepting donations for the relief effort in regions of the southeastern United States affected by Hurricane Katrina.

American Red Cross:
tel. (800) HELP-NOW
English-speaking operator: (800) 257-7575
Spanish-speaking operator: (800) 220-4095
TDD operator: http://www.redcross.org

The Salvation Army
for a wealth of information on financial donations and information on volunteering
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

Feed the Children:
http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=usw_hurricane_katrina

Catholic Charities:
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/news/katrina.cfm

United Jewish Communities:
http://www.ujc.org

NBA player and News Orleans-area native
Chris Duhon's “Stand Tall Foundation”: http://www.nba.com/bulls/community/duhon_relief_050830.html

National Public Radio compilation of donation contacts:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4823690

GuideStar database of charities with a search function:
http://www.guidestar.org/

Network for Good:
http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/animal%5Fenviron/hurricanes/

Until that time that all are home with their loved ones …
God Bless America.

TBN Staff & Moderators

posted by:

 

[AndyM]

Thanks Hakim. As always you always have the right words to say at a time like this.

I would also like to add one more...

The Salvation Army - for a wealth of information on financial donations and information on volunteering, check out their website at:
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

Also, donations to the Salvation Army for hurricane relief at being taken are Walmart and Sam's Club store nationwide.

 

[Hakim]

Hi Andy,

Thank you very much for reminding me of the Salvation Army. They are at the forefront of aiding and assisting the downtrodden and suffering for a long time. The Salvation Army is one of the greatest servants of humanity.

I edited my post to add them prominently to the list.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

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

 

[gotrocks]

Thank you for the information already provided.
Can you tell us how one could "screen" an individual or small family before offering shelter in their home? We may be willing to help in that way but "we don't smoke and we don't chew...."
We keep hearing about the psychological problem for some and we are not able to council those in that regard.

We just turned 146 (73 each) and I had hernia repair Tuesday so it would have to be well adjusted healthy individuals if we took them in for a while.

Thanks to all who can offer some insight to help us make a decision.

 

[Hakim]

Gotrocks,

Your attitude and concern is truly commendable. I would say that anyone on TBN who is not in Louisiana and directly involved in the relief activites, may not give the best advice.

Why not contact your local Red Cross, Salvation Army or church? I am sure they would have specific suggestions to answer your concerns.

 

[AndyM]

My wife and I have also tossed around the idea, but haven't figured out a way to go about doing an "adopt a family" type of thing.

There are literally thousands of homeless families with no place to turn to and we wouldn't mind taking a family in if they had no where else to go, until they get back on their feet. We have three extra bedrooms and besides, Ohio isn't that bad of a place for them to live.

 

[budman72]

For anyone who is donating - check with your employer, mine is matching employee donations to the Red Cross 50%. Make sure your donation goes as far as it can!

FWIW, we also have a foundation at work that is set up exclusively to help employees in need. We're a world wide company and have a lot of employees in Louisiana. The company is matching donations to this fund 2 to 1!

God Bless America!

Bud

 

[PitbullMidwest]

Let's not forget:
Franklin Graham's
Samaritin's Purse

-or-

Operation Blessing
web page

 

[Bird]

Well, one good thing is that people apparently are opening their pocketbooks to try to help. I've been sitting here trying to make an online donation to the Salvation Army and they said due to the high volume of donations, they're running on 4 servers. It took awhile to get through to them to enter credit card information, then it said it might take up to 90 seconds for credit card authorization. I went to the kitchen and got a glass of wine and came back and typed this and it hasn't finished processing yet. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I take that as a good sign that lots of people are trying to helpl.