HOW TO HELP: Updated Information on How To Help Victims of Hurricane Katrina

September 08, 2005

Washington, D.C. - US Rep. David Price (NC-04) has released the following information about the ways in which 4th District constituents can assist in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort:

Local Efforts

Citizens in North Carolina who want to donate money to help with relief efforts in other states can call the N.C. Disaster Hotline toll free at 1-888-835-9966 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The money that is collected will be sent to the other states to use for their immediate needs. The N.C. Helping Neighbors Fund is managed by the Governor's Office in partnership with United Way of North Carolina. There is no administrative cost associated with the fund, and 100 percent of the donated funds will go to the victims. Make checks payable to the N.C. Helping Neighbors Fund and mail to:

N.C. Helping Neighbors Fund

Office of the Governor

20312 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, N.C. 27699-0312

If you are seeking assistance for family members or friends that have evacuated to North Carolina from the states impacted by Hurricane Katrina, you can call NC's Careline at 1-800-662-7030 and they will be directed to the appropriate agencies for assistance. If you live in Wake County area, call 919-855-4400.

National Efforts

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is on the ground in the affected areas coordinating the response and recovery efforts, but there are also a number of nonprofit relief organizations providing aid and comfort to victims of the hurricane.

Information on what you can do to help with the recovery effort is available through FEMA's website.

The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster has information available on their website, too. Most volunteers who are not already affiliated with a relief organization cannot be sent to disaster areas yet because of safety problems related to sanitation and infrastructure. However, volunteer opportunities will be available soon, so be sure to keep checking for more information.

In addition, volunteer agencies provide a wide variety of services after disasters, such as clean up, childcare, housing repair, crisis counseling, sheltering and food. Below is a list of phone numbers set up solely for cash donations and/or volunteers:

American Red Cross

1-800-HELP NOW (435-7669) English,

1-800-257-7575 Spanish

Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief

1-800-462-8657, ext. 6440

Salvation Army

1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)

America's Second Harvest

1-800-344-8070

Adventist Community Services

1-800-381-7171

Catholic Charities, USA