MiddletownJournal.com

How to help hurricane victims

While a variety of government and private agencies are en route to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina, federal officials said Monday 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 organizations.

Cash donations "allow volunteer agencies to issue cash vouchers to victims so they can meet their needs. Cash donations also allow agencies to avoid the labor-intensive need to store, sort, pack and distribute donated goods. Donated money prevents, too, the prohibitive cost of air or sea transportation that donated goods require."

Here are some more ways you can help:

The Dayton chapters of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as well as the Interdenominational Ministers Alliance are joining forces to collect non-perishables for hurricane victims. Non-perishables include items such as bottled water, can goods, paper goods and blankets. The groups ask that you please bring those items and more to the SCLC office at 2132 W. Third St., from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Red Cross accepts financial donations through its Web site at redcross.org. Phone: 800-HELP NOW (435-7669)

Individuals or businesses who want to be a part of the relief efforts for hurricane victims are encouraged to seek information provided by volunteer agencies, faith-based organizations and community partners regarding identified needs. Contact information on making donations to relief organizations may be found at www.fema.gov or www.nvoad.org (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters), on the Web.

Other agencies offering relief:

• Operation Blessing, 800-436-6348.

• America’s Second Harvest, 800-344-8070.

• 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 Ñ Disaster Relief, 800-462-8657, ext. 6440.

• United Methodist Committee on Relief. 800-554-8583.

Help for animals

These agencies are focused on animals in need, including pets, farm animals and native wildlife:

• Humane Society of the United States, www.hsus.org

• Noah's Wish, www.noahswish.com

• ASPCA, www.aspca.org

• North Shore Animal League, www.nsalamerica.org

• Petfinder.com, petfinder.com/disaster/

• American Humane Association, www.americanhumane.org