Tribune Editorial: Victims of Katrina do need your help now

CASH IS BEST WAY TO HELP

Katrina -- The fallout of this hurricane continues to ripple across New Orleans, the Gulf Coast and the rest of the United States.

This massive hurricane's impact may well be the largest natural disaster in American history.

Wednesday brought a growing list of challenges:

• Rescuing the survivors by the thousands.

• Growing flooding in New Orleans isolating thousands.

• Rescue efforts overwhelmed by the demand.

• Basic infrastructures damaged beyond imagination.

• Communication is basically nonexistent.

• A growing need for food, water and basic shelter.

Officials have no time to count the dead, but instead are concentrating on saving the living and injured.
Each passing day increases the danger of the living in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

The impact of Katrina now goes beyond the South's Gulf Coast.

On Wednesday the impact arrived in Willmar and west central Minnesota as gas prices broke $3 per gallon. Nationwide gas prices surged over $3 and gas rationing arose in some parts of the nation. This will likely have a lingering impact on other energy prices.

Now, the time is here to help our fellow Americans along the Gulf Coast. Some Minnesotans packed up Wednesday and headed to the region to help.

Others are taking steps locally. Melvin's on the Lake owner Dave Baker said Wednesday he is turning his business' Labor Day concerts into a fund-raiser for the American Red Cross.

This is the time to step up and help our fellow Americans in need. This is America's tsunami.

Federal officials recommend making cash contributions to aid private agencies assisting victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The Associated Press reports that FEMA lists the following agencies as needing cash to assist hurricane victims:

• American Red Cross, 800-HELP NOW (435-7669) English, 800-257-7575 Spanish.

• Operation Blessing, 800-436-6348.

• America's Second Harvest, 800-344-8070.

• Adventist Community Services, 800-381-7171.

• Catholic Charities, USA, 703-549-1390.

• Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, 800-848-5818.

• Church World Service, 800-297-1516.

• Convoy of Hope, 417-823-8998.

• Lutheran Disaster Response, 800-638-3522.

• Mennonite Disaster Service, 717-859-2210.

• Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, 800-872-3283.

• Salvation Army, 800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769).

• United Methodist Committee on Relief. 800-554-8583.

The time to help is here. Your contribution will help these organizations assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina.