Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort

** If you are a refugee of Hurricane Katrina, please click here for information regarding federal assistance that may be available to you. **

Hurricane Katrina's destruction has left thousands of Americans desperate for relief. And countless Middle Tennesseans want to help.

In our communities, there has been an outpouring of support in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Tennessee National Guard units are traveling to the Gulf Coast to help with relief efforts. Many of our neighbors have opened their homes to families and friends who have lost everything. Our schools have opened their classrooms to students whose schools and communities no longer exist. Churches, schools and charitable organizations across the state are collecting donations.  

My colleagues in Congress and I met in a special session to pass legislation providing $10.5 billion for immediate assistance for the relief efforts. But there is much more to be done, and many Middle Tennesseans have asked how they can locate loved ones or provide assistance to the relief efforts.

Below are some websites that provide information regarding charitable organizations, as well as other ways to provide assistance. I encourage you to visit these websites. If there is information that you feel would be helpful to others, please contact my office and I will be sure to update my website.

www.firstgov.gov
- Provides comprehensive information regarding charitable donations, locating loved ones, and volunteer opportunities.

www.redcross.org
- Allows charitable donations to be made in any amount (over $5), through a secure website. Also provides daily updates on the current situation.

www.fema.gov
- Includes a tremendous amount of information regarding the current situation in the Gulf Coast, as well as ways to help.

www.feedthechildren.org
- Their distribution center in Nashville (615 Davidson Street) is collecting clothing and food donations until this Friday.

www.secondharvestnashville.org
- Collecting food at their Nashville office, and are setting up drop boxes at Kroger Grocery stores.

www.cfmt.org/katrina.htm
- The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee provides a secure website, sponsored by The Tennessean, that you can make credit card donations from.