[Vision2020] Needs of Katrina evacuees

[Burt Sid]

>From a friend of a friend thats helping....



I'm working at the Camp Carter evacuee center, which is housing about 300
evacuees. There's a bunch of donated stuff there, but some much-needed
items are missing. While there's more clothes than people could wear in 3
hurricanes, there's nothing for people to put them in. I've watched people
carrying their belongings around in empty plastic buckets that used to
hold snacks or food. They need duffel bags or suitcases.

There's at least 200 bottles of hand sanitizer, but not one paper towel in
sight. Yesterday, I gave up and just dried my hands on my shirt.

We have dozens of bottles of children's Tylenol and a little bit of kid's
cold medicine, but not a single dose of adult cold stuff -- and a bunch of
people with colds.

Women can't brush their hair -- no hairbrushes/hairbands, etc., but plenty
of shampoo.

The folks at Camp Carter came from the Superdome, with mostly nothing but
the clothes they were wearing. As the situation changes from "immediate
relief" to "long(er) term shelter", needs change, too. We're starting to
address some of these issues -- need for long-term medications for chronic
problems, replacing eyeglasses lost in the confusion, etc.

All the donations are wonderful, and most appreciated. However, if folks
are looking for ways to help and wish to donate, here's a few suggestions:

1. Call the site you wish to donate to, or check their website and see if
there's specific needs. 
Residents could also use gift cards (e.g., Target, WalMart) to buy
personal items that don't tend to be donated (underclothes, bras, etc.)

2. Ask if the volunteers need anything to help them do their jobs (as in
the previously-mentioned paper towels) -- batteries, coolers, tarps, and
laundry services are in short supply right now.

3. There's probably some bigger items that would be helpful. We had
trouble heating a formula bottle yesterday (big commercial kitchens don't
often have microwave ovens, for example). 

4. If you're donating items, it's helpful if they come sorted and boxed
(all the shampoo in one labeled box, all the toothpaste in another).

5. Consider helping with transportation. Many evacuees arrived by bus. 

Anyway, if anyone asks, please pass these suggestions on to them.