You don't have to STAY at the shelters to get help there

[GalvestonDuck]

Just wanted to emphasize for anyone who was or knows a victim of Katrina -- you don't have to be staying at a Red Cross shelter to get help there. Volunteers are staffing all areas of the shelters in order to provide a large number of services. Physicians are volunteering to work in clinics to see not only those with current medical complaints, but also anyone who simply needs to get a prescription. Here in Galveston, Walgreens is working the UTMB and the ARC to get meds to people who need them. They just need to be seen by a volunteer doc first. You can find out information on a number of resources in the area - job listings, people willing to drive evacuees back and forth to laundromats (and many of them are paying for the laundry also), housing opportunities, travel (our buses are taking passengers with LA/MS/AL id's for free). Some ARC's have gas vouchers. Some have cash vouchers (they hadn't made it here yet). Of course, there are wall-to-wall diapers like you wouldn't believe! Tons of water, food, clothes, blankets, shoes (one entire classroom at the church was nothing but shoes), toilet paper, cleaning supplies, shampoo, toothpaste, and all those essentials. There are meals served there and there's plenty to go around. Legal help, counseling, and school information is also available.

And finally, you can sign up on a list to say where you are and volunteers enter the information into the International Committee of the Red Cross database so family members can search and find you if they haven't been able to contact you by phone.

[Pebbles]

You are so right!! All these services are available and a great resource even if you are staying with friends/family members/ or in a hotel. Unfortunately while doing damage assesment many people didn't understand these resources were available even if you were not staying in the shelter.

Also some felt since they were better off then some others (they were not considered poverty level before the storm) they really shouldn't 'take' resources from those that were more needy. But they also were low on cash flow. Don't let this stop you from using these resources! They can save you money that you may need for other things untill personally cash/income starts flowing again. Believe me, they have plenty for all situations. Even if it's only a few packs of diapers or toiletries it can save $20 bucks here and there that may add up to be useful at a later date.

Also I would reccommend grabbing a few MRE's while there. You may run into a situation where food is inaccessable and they can be useful. If you end up not needing them in an emergancy for this situation they store forever and can be packed away in your emergancy kit in case they are needed later. Everyone picks on the MRE's but there are a couple that are actually pretty good. (I ate a few while working with the RedCross doing damage assesment and didn't have no where to stop for lunch while on the road.)

[lisa0825]

I worked at the shelter at First Baptist in Texas City this weekend. Most folks who showed up there were not staying over when I was there, though they were expecting at least one bus last I heard. Most came to get clothes, toys, food, etc. The set up looks pretty comfortable. No privacy, but mattresses on the floor, as opposed to cots. Blankets, pillows, plenty of clothes and toys. I worked in the nursery. The kids were doing pretty well, playing and picking on each other as kids do. as of Monday afternoon, there was still plenty of space if anyone is looking for a bed.

[JenBayles]

Frankly, I'm seriously disappointed in the Red Cross. Two of my friends got out before the storm hit with their 2 teenagers. They are staying at another friend's house in west Houston. They have virtually only the clothes on their backs and their home is destroyed. The Red Cross won't do CRAP for them because they aren't in a shelter. They just tell them to call United Way or the Salvation Army, and those organizations refer them back to the Red Cross. I could hardly believe it so I called myself and got the same runaround. Saw a story on Fox News last night about people in worse shape, sleeping about a dozen people in one motel room with a baby on a respirator, and guess what? The Red Cross gave them the same dam runaround. Can someone tell me WTF the Red Cross is doing with all that money coming in? The workers are thousands upon thousands of volunteers, so WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?!!

[schmita]

Frankly, I'm seriously disappointed in the Red Cross. Two of my friends got out before the storm hit with their 2 teenagers. They are staying at another friend's house in west Houston. They have virtually only the clothes on their backs and their home is destroyed. The Red Cross won't do CRAP for them because they aren't in a shelter. They just tell them to call United Way or the Salvation Army, and those organizations refer them back to the Red Cross. I could hardly believe it so I called myself and got the same runaround. Saw a story on Fox News last night about people in worse shape, sleeping about a dozen people in one motel room with a baby on a respirator, and guess what? The Red Cross gave them the same dam runaround. Can someone tell me WTF the Red Cross is doing with all that money coming in? The workers are thousands upon thousands of volunteers, so WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?!!

The money goes to the executives. I posted on this on another thread and don't want to repeat myself here but the Red Cross was simply horrible to New Yorkers after September 11th.
Sorry you had to find out the hard way.
irina

[schmita]

JenBayles,
I feel bad for not telling you more about our experiences with the Red Cross but I will tell you that we did not stay at a shelter and did register with the Red Cross.
They did feed me during the interminable hours I spent at the center filing out forms. It was not a shelter. It was a place where alot of agencies were so you could file with all at the same location, FEMA, Red Cross, Safe Horizons etc.
Your friend must tell them they are homeless. That they are being kicked out. I know it sounds stupid to have to lie to get something from the Red Cross during such a horrible disaster.
They did offer us chits. They told us to find an apartment and they would pay the rent. Guess what? No takers. No one trusted the RC. Would not accept the chits or any of their promises.
We had resources and insurance and stayed at a cheap hotel for the time we were evacuated.
Honestly, I can only suggest trying again. Go down in person with your family/friends and be their advocate. I did that for some people that were too confused and uncertain. Sorry.
There will be many more agencies trying to help. The Salvation Army was good. Try them. Maybe they were misunderstood. Above all, go in person.
Good Luck
irina

[GalvestonDuck]

I've heard many say that the SA and Goodwill will only SELL the clothes to those who need it (I've heard that from donors as well as evacuees). Honestly, I don't know because I haven't been to those places since this happened.

However, I can tell you for a fact, Jen -- there are clothes...TONS of clothes being sorted and given away at the Moody Methodist Church in Galveston.

Schmita - let's not start.

Now you've replied again -- as far as the RC paying rent: FEMA is offering temporary housing assistance and we have been giving evacuees the number for FEMA as well as many other resources.

[JenBayles]

That's what's so frustrating Duckie - we get on the phone to find out where to go for clothes for the girls so they can at least get started in school, and nobody can tell us anything! A coworker of mine has several family members in his house and they're getting the same runaround. If you have a roof over your head - forget it. I've given all the cash I can give at the moment and still pay my own bills, and well, the frustration level is really disheartening. So many people are helping out in so many ways, and still it's not getting to those that didn't go to a shelter.

[alicia-w]

I've heard many say that the SA and Goodwill will only SELL the clothes to those who need it (I've heard that from donors as well as evacuees). Honestly, I don't know because I haven't been to those places since this happened.

However, I can tell you for a fact, Jen -- there are clothes...TONS of clothes being sorted and given away at the Moody Methodist Church in Galveston.

Schmita - let's not start.

Now you've replied again -- as far as the RC paying rent: FEMA is offering temporary housing assistance and we have been giving evacuees the number for FEMA as well as many other resources.

Both the SA and Goodwill here said they would not separate items for Katrina victims. Anything donated to them would be sold in their stores.


The Airman's Attic on Eglin has a warehouse full of clothes and household items for displaced folks in the FWB area. I bet other AF bases are doing the same thing.