PfCONA NewsFLASH: How to Help Hurricane Katrina Victims (distribute this E-mail)

Please forward this list, published in Austin American-Statesman, to your neighborhoood/community organization members in order for them to consider sending help to those in great need**:

How to help

AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Although a variety of government and private agencies are en route to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina, federal officials said 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 these groups:

* American Red Cross, www.redcross.org or (800) HELP NOW (435-7669); (800) 257-7575 in Spanish.

* Operation Blessing, (800) 436-6348.

* America's Second Harvest, www.secondharvest.org or (800) 771-2303.

* Adventist Community Services, (800) 381-7171.

* Catholic Charities, www.catholiccharities usa.org, (703) 549-1390.

* Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, (800) 848-5818.

* Church World Service, www.churchworldservice.org, (800) 297-1516.

* Convoy of Hope, (417) 823-8998.

* Lutheran Disaster Response, (800) 638-3522.

* Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, (800) 872-3283.

* Salvation Army, www.salvationarmyusa.org, (800) SAL-ARMY (725-2769).

* Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief, (800) 462-8657, Ext. 6440.

* United Methodist Committee on Relief, (800) 554-8583.

-- The Associated Press

Local charities

* Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, www.austinfoodbank.org,

282-2111.

* Mobile Loaves & Fishes, www.mobileloavesandfishes.org, 328-7299.

Link to above story: http://www.statesman.com/news/content/auto/epaper/editions/wednesday/news_345165eda5845009005e.html (archived after 7 days)

Excerpt from a related story:

Texas offers help to Louisiana victims

Shelters open and rescuers arrive

By Mark Lisheron

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

...people coming to Texas from Louisiana may call 211 or a toll free number, (888) 312-4567, for help. For help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, they can call (800) 621-3362. For the American Red Cross, (800) 438-4636. The number for the Austin chapter of the Red Cross is (877) 929-1224.

The state is requesting the services of 200 physicians and about 380 nurses and other medically trained personnel. For more information, call James Bryant at the Texas Department of State Health Services, 458-7111, Ext. 6643.

Link to complete story at: http://www.statesman.com/news/content/auto/epaper/editions/wednesday/news_345185cb7062f0ea0051.html (archived after 7 days)

**Permission was received by PfCONA from Statesman online editor to distribute the above list and excerpt. Links are included but stories are archived after 7 days.

In addition to the national efforts getting underway on behalf of disaster victims, a local effort is still underway in regard to Fallen Warrior Memorial. See www.fallenwarriormemorial.org. Another is getting underway for the AngelHeart Children's Shelter in the Pflugerville area. See http://www.angelheartshelter.org/ for more information on this 24-hour emergency shelter for victims of abuse and neglect. It must raise at least $25K (which would be matched) by October 15th in order to keep its facility. Have your organizations seriously consider, throughout the year, helping and/or promoting any one or all of these efforts, not too mention local food pantries and other area charities/fundraisers.