Nonprofits
Hurricane Relief Not Coming from Large Nonprofits
Where are the Red Cross and Salvation Army?
“In the midst of the devastation, larger relief organizations like the Red Cross and Salvation Army have been scaling down their efforts. They still have warehouses of supplies but no efficient way to distribute them to people in the poor communities of the Gulf Coast, ” writes former SSIR managing editor, David Weir in Salon. “The Red Cross has already closed all of its shelters and the Salvation Army plans to stop its meal service before Christmas.”
In contrast, David writes, “Hands On USA volunteers are helping East Biloxi residents manage such day-to-day chores as clearing debris from their houses, finding temporary shelter and seeking counseling.”
Hurricane relief and the media that it attracts provides a golden opportunity for nonprofits - particularly large nonprofits who are under scrutiny from their donors and congress - to show that they can effectively and efficiently aid the needy. Why aren’t the Red Cross and Salvation Army then making a better showing?
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COMMENTS
BY frances metcalf
ON December 16, 2005 06:35 PM
This is absolutely true. I just returned from Pass Christian, MS, and have seen it for myself. It is very interesting to note, however, that there is charity and volunteer work being done, mostly by Christian organizations. Campus Crusade for Christ is there, Samaritan’s Purse is there; they are helping people one on one. One of the most important volunteer activities in Pass Christian is totally volunteer and totally run on gifts: God’s Katrina Kitchen. This group, which feeds local residents, volunteers, and paid workers, was serving more than 500 people per meal, 3 times a day, when I left just before Thanksgiving. (I’m returning right after Christmas to volunteer again.) There’s no infrastructure, no board of directors, no director of development—just a strong mission and a proven track record.
Who’s doing the work down in Pass Christian? Not surprisingly, the Christian community—from all over the nation. No bureacracy, no government, no fancy programs—just good old American “barn-raising.” In fact, the Mennonite communitiy has a permanent camp down there right now, too.
Red Cross? Salvation Army? Who needs them? We’ve got people who want to pitch in—and are showing the true American character by just rolling up their sleeves and doing it.
BY Anthony I
ON December 18, 2005 06:20 PM
I was in MS. and LA. right after Katrina (3 days later) to provide new stainless-steel-lined-water trucks etc, for Jefferson Parrish and was told by FEMA and the Corp of Army Engineers that I was not needed. They informed that they had 80 water trucks! That’s all! And then said: “we are only using about 20 trucks right now”! What a joke! Jeff. Parrish invited me and that still was not enough. Then 10 days later, a company out of Texas was “busted” by the EPA for using OIL tanker trucks to deliver water! I wonder who approved these trucks and by who’s recommendation did they come? Oil and Texas? I wonder who that could be?
Well, in addition, The Red Cross sucked about $800 million out of the giving sector and I NEVER saw a Red Cross truck, tent, person for the entire three weeks that I was down there!
I am now assisting a small non-profit out of MS. in their grant search etc. They have great programs and projects to help in the cause. We are receiving help from other non-profits and are making a much better impact than any of the Government agencies. If you want info please email me.
BY David Weir
ON December 19, 2005 04:57 AM
I saw a few Christian groups in East Biloxi too. Most have local affiliate churches in the area, so they have a good base from which to connect in the community. By contrast, the secular challenge is whether any political organization can emerge to represent these people, who otherwise appear destined to be truly discarded. There is an irony with the religious groups, many of which seem to be fundamentalist—and that is that the area is being cleared essentially so that the casinos can take over. Many of them say they oppose gambling, but that is the only economic option emerging in the Biloxi area, at least.
BY FELICIA
ON December 20, 2005 10:52 PM
I have a small nonprofit company that works with families and I received $30’000 in toy donations and I am now looking for someone who either has a trucking company that can help us to transport the toys to these areas affected by Hurricane Katrina or we need some help with the freight fees. If anyone knows somebody that can help us either way, please
send me an email with your idea.
We didn’t take in any cash donations and the people that were suppose to help us transport them are now unavailable. I agree that I haven’t seen anything being done by these government agencies that have taken in all this money. I lost 3 family members to Hurricane Katrina and I have been doing all that I can with the help of family and friends.
This is really awful that in a time like this they are pocketing this money and the supplies that are greatly needed are just sitting in someone’s warehouse.