My family and I want to spend the weekend helping distribute much
needed items, food, and water to storm-stricken areas of the Gulf
Coast.  Does anyone know how we go about doing this and what areas
need it the most?

Hello steph27,

It is easier to answer how you can help than what areas need it the
most.  It is difficult to say whether, say, a devastated small town on
the coast of Louisiana needs "more" help than a devastated city in
Mississippi?  Surely, they both need a great deal of help.  I believe
that the organizations that are providing that help are probably in
the best position to determine where they need to send their
resources.  You can call and check the web pages of these
organizations to inquire about those needs and how you can help.  For
example, please see this page of the American Red Cross, which is
providing a very large relief effort.

"Fast Facts: American Red Cross Response to Hurricane Katrina
(Regularly Updated Fact Sheet for the Media)" (Sept. 1, 2005)
American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0,1077,0_314_4509,00.html

For a summary of effects of the hurricane in various areas, see:

"What were Hurricane Katrina's effects from state to state?" (Last Reviewed
09/02/2005)
FirstGov.gov
http://answers.firstgov.gov/cgi-bin/gsa_ict.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=6634&p_created=1125325880&p_sid=cYiBMzOh&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD0yMjA1JnBfcHJvZHM9JnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9wYWdlPTE*&p_li=&p_topview=1

According to the Red Cross's homepage, "Due to high call volume in
select local regions, some callers may be receiving a busy signal when
trying to call 1-800-HELP-NOW."  However, as the "Fast Facts" page
notes, "Individuals interested in volunteering for the American Red
Cross should contact their local Red Cross chapter."  You can find
your local chapter by consulting one of these pages.

"To find your local American Red Cross"
American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/where/where.html

"American Red Cross Web Sites"
American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/where/chapts.asp

The Salvation Army home page
(http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn.nsf) says "Click here to
fill out a Salvation Army volunteer form. You will be contacted as the
need arises."  I suppose that would be a less effective way of trying
to volunteer this weekend.

If you'd like to get other information on helping and current news
from the area, you might try the organizations and pages listed by
CNN.

"Want to help?" (September 2, 2005)
CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/08/30/help.agencies/index.html

"Hurricane Katrina: Help Center"
CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2005/katrina/help.center/

See also:

"Volunteer or Make a Donation"
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
http://www.fema.gov/press/2005/katrinadonations.shtm

"Cash Sought To Help Hurricane Victims, Volunteers Should Not
Self-Dispatch" (Last Updated 02-Sep-2005)
FEMA
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18473

Please let me know if you need further information.  You have asked an
excellent question, and I would like for you to get as quick and
helpful a response as possible.  If I'm not available immediately, I
hope that someone else reading this page will be able to give
additional information.

- justaskscott 


Search strategy --

Browsed web sites cited in answer.

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Clarification of Answer by justaskscott-ga on 02 Sep 2005 13:29 PDT

Incidentally, despite my comment about the form on the Salvation
Army's web site, I certainly would not dissuade people from
volunteering for the Salvation Army if they are able to do so through
a national or local chapter.  I presume that the web site's advice
means that the Salvation Army considers the form to be the most
efficient way to volunteer.

---

Clarification of Answer by justaskscott-ga on 02 Sep 2005 17:08 PDT

Incidentally, it is possible that for the Red Cross or other
organizations, you might need to undergo training first and might be
asked to do local work, such as answering phone calls for the chapter.
 You can contact the organization to learn the current details.

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Clarification of Answer by justaskscott-ga on 02 Sep 2005 17:09 PDT

I just realized that I started both clarifications with
"incidentally."  That looks odd -- if I have another clarification, I
won't do it again!