Giving cash best way to help storm victims

WASHINGTON – 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 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.”

FEMA listed the following agencies as needing cash to assist hurricane victims:

. American Red Cross, (800) HELP NOW (435-7669).

. 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, Disaster Relief, (800) 462-8657, ext. 6440.

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