To help with immediate disaster relief, the Baltimore Community Foundation suggests making contributions to any of the relief agencies listed below, all of which are actively engaged in recovery efforts:
See also the website of the Greater New Orleans Community Foundation to contribute directly to the relief fund at that community foundation.American Red Cross – 1-800-HELP-NOW
2025 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006The American Red Cross’ Hurricane 2005 Relief efforts are focused on providing immediate necessities--including shelter and food- to the thousands of people left homeless by the storm. Donations will allow volunteers to go to the devastated area to distribute needed supplies and provide counseling to victims.
America’s Second Harvest – 1-800-771-2303
35 E. Wacker Dr., #2000, Chicago, IL 60601As America’s largest hunger relief organization, America’s Second Harvest is working with local food banks and associated service agencies to provide food to Hurricane Katrina victims and stabilize pantries’ food distribution operations by securing additional warehouse space in the affected region.
Catholic Charities USA – 1-800-919-9338
P.O. Box 25168, Alexandria, VA 22313-9788Catholic Charities USA has established the 2005 Hurricane Relief Fund to facilitate donations to support the individuals and area devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Their associated agencies in Florida and Baton Rouge will provide technical assistance teams to the areas to assist with the response effort. Once the area has been stabilized, Catholic Charities will switch the focus of their efforts to work towards the long-term recovery of the communities affected. The organization is prepared to provide temporary shelter, permanent housing, direct financial assistance, job placement counseling, and medical/prescription drug assistance.
Church World Service – 212-870-2654
475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115Church World Service and its member congregations work with victims to rebuild their lives after the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. Faith-based volunteers counsel those affected by helping them establish personalized recovery plans and rebuild homes destroyed by the storm and its aftermath.
Episcopal Relief & Development is sending emergency funds to the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi. Donations will support the operation of two mobile response trailers that are helping individuals and families repair homes destroyed in the storm.
Salvation Army – 1-800-SAL-ARMY
PO Box 4857, Jackson, MS 39296-4857The Salvation Army serves both storm victims and first responders. A $100 donation will feed a family of four for two days, provide two cases of drinking water and one household clean-up kit- including brooms, mops, buckets, and cleaning supplies. All cash donations will help Salvation Army staff and volunteers assess the needs of victims and begin to rebuild communities devastated by the storm.
United Jewish Communities – The Federations of North America –
212-284-6500
P.O. Box 30, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113United Jewish Communities (UJC) has established a relief fund to aid members of the Jewish and general communities affected by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, the Western Florida panhandle, and surrounding areas. UJC will collaborate with Jewish federations in the region to help coordinate relief efforts. The national organization will distribute all donations received by local Jewish community federations across the country to support all residents in need of humanitarian aid.
This story was published on September 1, 2005.