Two tractor-trailers containing donated materials left Tuesday for Louisiana from St. Matthew’s Church in Hampden. Another truck is slated to leave Thursday.

The items, which include clothing, children’s items and toys, nonperishable food and bedding, are headed to two communities in the hurricane-ravaged state, Opelousas and Baton Rouge.

The Rev. Robert Vaillancourt coordinated the effort with a Louisiana priest he met at World Youth Day in Germany. Vaillancourt said Tuesday that since he started collecting donations, approximately 400 area volunteers have lent a hand.

In Opelousas, three Catholic churches and area Protestant churches along with the Police Department are ministering to five shelters where 8,000 refugees recently arrived. In Baton Rouge, the Diocesan Office of Parish Social Ministries is serving more than 200,000 refugees scattered in the area.

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U.S Sen. Olympia Snowe will travel to the gulf region Monday with Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Tom Collins to witness recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina, the senator’s office announced Tuesday.

Snowe, who leads the Senate Commerce Subcommittee which has jurisdiction over the Coast Guard, will survey Coast Guard response in all three affected states.

“I look forward to thanking the servicemen and women on the ground for their tenacious and resourceful work in the region,” Snowe said in a statement.

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The Pine Tree Chapter of the Red Cross has been inundated with prospective volunteers who want to assist in the hurricane relief effort. Approximately 150 have signed up for a training session, chapter director Suzan Bell said Tuesday.

The training courses will be offered Saturday, Sept. 24, and Sunday, Sept. 25, at University College in Bangor. Not all who participate will be eligible for deployment to the Gulf Coast, but Bell said the volunteers will be able to help around the state in future crises.

Eighteen volunteers from the Pine Tree Chapter are already in Louisiana.

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The Maine Emergency Management Agency reported Tuesday that 61 evacuees from Hurricane Katrina have been sent to Maine, with more expected.

In addition, MEMA has coordinated with the Maine Military Authority to send 40 flatbed trucks carrying Humvee trucks to the gulf region.

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Tri Town Baptist Church and I-Care Ministries of East Millinocket are sending their second truckload of supplies to the Gulf Coast today, thanks in part to donations from Dysart’s and John McCleary of Bangor, who has volunteered to drive the truck.

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River City Therapy and Wellness Center of Bangor will hold a benefit for victims of the hurricane 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24.

Area professionals will donate their time to provide services such as massage therapy, professional skin care, Pilates classes, hair care, and reiki, a stress reduction and relaxation technique. Proceeds will go to The Salvation Army.

To schedule an appointment, call 990-0188, ext. 91.