wfn.org | Church World Service Advises Cash Donations

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

For Katrina and Other Emergencies, Cash Donations Counseled
August 30, 2005

NEW YORK - To help people affected by Hurricane Katrina, go to your bank 
account, not your closet or food pantry, counsels an organization which 
coordinates faith community disaster response efforts.

"Cash is always preferred over material donations," says Linda Reed Brown, 
associate director of Emergency Response at Church World Service (CWS), a 
New York-based humanitarian and relief agency serving the U.S.

"With cash donations, organizations responding to disasters can quickly 
acquire exactly what is needed based on damage assessments," she explains. 
"Cash also can purchase goods and services in the disaster-stricken 
community and thus boost its economy at a critical time."

Material donations often aggravate the disaster, Brown says. Sometimes, 
they aren't needed - usually the case with clothing and food. Or they may 
be needed when they are shipped, but not needed when they arrive at the 
disaster site because needs change from day to day in the aftermath of a 
disaster. And material donations, even if appropriate, entail shipping, 
storage, sorting and distribution costs. "In short, cash donations 
facilitate effective, efficient use of disaster response resources in 
addressing needs," Brown summarizes. "Materials donations usually add to 
the cost."

So to whom should you give your money? "Look to experienced volunteer 
disaster response agencies first," Brown advises, "one recognized for a 
particular role in disaster response. They provide valuable assistance for 
people to rebuild their lives physically and spiritually. Yet they're often 
strapped for funds for these vital services."

CWS and its member communions work in long-term recovery, focusing on the 
unmet needs not addressed by organizations providing the initial response. 
Faith groups typically help disaster survivors develop their own recovery 
plans and work with them to get assistance they need to fully recover. They 
also send volunteers to disaster sites to repair and rebuild homes. Through 
CWS or individual denominations, your money goes to work to support 
long-term rehabilitation.

CWS is helping to support immediate needs and preparing for continuing 
assistance, working within affected communities to meet the long-term 
recovery and reconstruction needs of the most vulnerable. Shoulder to 
shoulder with the interfaith community in the affected areas, as well as 
federal emergency officials, CWS will be providing vital assistance as 
families and communities work to put their lives back together again. 
Contributions may be sent to:

Church World Service
Hurricane Katrina Response
P.O. Box 968
Elkhart, IN 46515

Or contribute online or via phone to 800-297-1516.

Media Contacts:
Ann Walle, CWS/New York, 212-870-2654; awalle@churchworldservice.org