While federal, state and local governments squabble over who did what in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, volunteer groups have been busy raising and handing out money, collecting clothing for the disposed, and making sure victims have enough to eat.
But one month after Hurricane Katrina roared upon the shores of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, tens of thousands of former residents remain unsure about their future -- many not knowing where they will find their next meal.
"America is continuing to respond to our call to help people caught in the grip of crisis," said Robert Forney, president and chief executive officer of America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network.
"But our recovery work for these communities throughout the Gulf region is only just beginning. It will take months of coordination with other relief organizations and federal agencies to best serve those affected."
The food banks and food-rescue organizations have been working around the clock for weeks to meet the needs of communities affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, moving millions of pounds of food at record-setting levels.
Since August 29, the America's Second Harvest Network says it has dispatched nearly 1,100 truckloads filled with food and grocery products -- ready-to-ship pallets including hand-held snacks such as granola and energy bars, breakfast bars, beefy jerky, peanut butter, canned meals such as hearty soups, stews, chili, pasta, plates, bowls, cups and utensils, bleach, disinfecting household cleaning items and diapers. This amounts to a staggering 34.3 million pounds of product, which equates to nearly 28 million meals.
In what it calls a major step, Second Harvest says it will soon reopen its food bank for Greater New Orleans and Acadiana. That facility, which prior to the hurricanes served agencies that fed more than 40,000 people each day, is preparing its warehouse and restocking supplies as residents begin their return to parishes throughout the food bank's service area.
Second Harvest estimates it will spend $21 million on Hurricane Katrina relief. To date it has collected just over $18 million for that purpose all of the donations coming in the last 30 days.
One-Two Punch
Hurricane Rita was a second disaster for many of those already hit hard by Katrina, including the organizations already struggling to help those in need.
"Rita has dealt a blow to those already suffering and we are responding with emergency food, water and shelter to points all along the coast," said Major Gene Hogg, deputy commander of Salvation Army divisional relief efforts. He said that 17 canteens and more than 100 volunteers and officers were sent to Lake Charles, Louisiana, to deal with Rita's aftermath.
"We had expected to start recovery efforts of cleanup by this time. The flooding and the winds have changed that in many places. Our response will last for many months. The Salvation Army has permanent services in place to respond for as long as needed."
There are more than 40 Salvation Army locations in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi where survivors may receive care from food, shelter, clothing and essentials to vouchers and debit cards. In addition there are more than 100 mobile kitchens traveling to neighborhoods with food and water. Over 7,000 Salvation Army personnel are in the field.
"The need is great. Everyday we are finding areas that haven't seen any help," said Hogg. "Out of our Biloxi service center, the farther west we go the more tragedy we encounter. In one small town we served 900 meals."
"Yesterday as I sat next to a gentleman at our feeding station in New Orleans I said, 'How are we treating you?' He said, 'If it wasn't for The Salvation Army I would be dead right now. I was the only one left in my neighborhood and they came for me."
In Beaumont, Texas Salvation Army canteens served 2,500 meals on Sunday morning to survivors and rescue workers. The Salvation Army served nearly 3,000 meals to the National Guard and emergency personnel in Houston and San Antonio and distributed 160,000 bottles of water to people evacuating in front of the storm who found themselves stuck in gridlock traffic along I-10 and I-45 in stifling heat.
To date The Salvation Army has served more than 4 million meals and assisted more than 500,000 people in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Additionally, survivors from both storms are being served by The Salvation Army in many states throughout the country.
Victims Scattered
Many of the storms victims no longer reside in the devastated area, but have been evacuated to other parts of the county. But with no home, no food and no job, most remain in need.
The Salvation Army continues to make services available to hurricane evacuees through its network of sites around the country. In the Chicago area, for example, nearly 200 sites are caring for Katrina victims. throughout the Chicago area. Lt. Col. David E. Grindle, divisional commander of the group, says the need is long-term.
"We will continue to meet those needs as long as we can with the resources available," he said.
