What are some trustworthy organizaitons to donate money for diaster relief of Katrina?

August 31, 2005 8:17 AM

As much as I would like to help by donating to the victims of Katrina, I want to know that my donated money is really going to go help them. What are some trustworthy organizations to donate to?
posted by Gooney to Human Relations (19 answers total)

From FEMA, via the Washington Post:

· American Red Cross, 800-HELP-NOW (435-7669) English, 800-257-7575 Spanish. http://www.redcross.org/

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

· Adventist Community Services, 800-381-7171.

· Catholic Charities USA, 800-919-9338.

· Christian Disaster Response, 941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554.

· 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.

· Nazarene Disaster Response, 888-256-5886.

· Operation Blessing, 800-436-6348.

· Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, 800-872-3283.

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

· Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief, 800-462-8657, Ext. 6440.

· United Methodist Committee on Relief, 800-554-8583.
posted by arco at 8:23 AM on August 31, 2005

Yes, most of thse are "religious" groups, but in my experience (with UMCOR at least) their work in emergency situations is not "faith based." If you are at all concerned about that, the Red Cross is an excellent choice.

I wish there was a way to contribute directly to people who are stranded in hotels across the south and who are running out of money for lodging, food, etc. Anybody have any ideas?
posted by arco at 8:27 AM on August 31, 2005

another religious organization.
posted by Pollomacho at 8:42 AM on August 31, 2005

I wish there was a way to contribute directly to people who are stranded in hotels across the south and who are running out of money for lodging, food, etc. Anybody have any ideas?

An awesome thing to do would be to look up some random hotels, say the Red Roof Inn in Vicksburg, and ask for the manager, then ask to pay for the lodging of a person or family in need, I'm sure they would be more than willing to let you help, or could put you in touch with some guests who would accept your help.
posted by Pollomacho at 8:44 AM on August 31, 2005

I wish there was a way to contribute directly to people who are stranded in hotels across the south and who are running out of money for lodging, food, etc. Anybody have any ideas?

Again, The Red Cross. They're terrific about this sort of thing -- the only catch being that you need to know to go to them to ask for help. A good friend of mine was thrown out of work here in Maine after September 11, 2001 when the Jetport was closed, and The Red Cross assisted her with rent and food for as long as she was forcebly unemployed.
posted by anastasiav at 8:45 AM on August 31, 2005

Akin to my earlier post, I'm sure the individual churches in places like Vicksburg, Laurel, Hattiesburg, Natchez, etc. would be glad to take your donations for exactly those purposes!
posted by Pollomacho at 8:48 AM on August 31, 2005

I really don't agree with (m)any belifs of religious organizations, but you really can't deny the good that they provide in times of need like this, and generally year round. Personally, though, i've already given to the Red Cross and have in almost every major event since i've had the means to ($$). Golden rule i suppose.

If you are worried about this, someone posted a link to a website that tracks the yearly statements of each group. I think the link pointed to the balance sheet of Noahs Wish (the animal rescue group)
posted by joshgray at 8:55 AM on August 31, 2005

Give.org is verified by the BBB.
posted by gramcracker at 9:01 AM on August 31, 2005

I've used (and recommend) Charity Navigator to research organizations before I donate. Their financial summary and overall ratings are particularly insightful.
posted by skyboy at 10:06 AM on August 31, 2005

If you give to the Red Cross, please don't do it online; their online donation form does not allow you to direct your money to Hurricane Katrina relief. Donations to the ARC Disaster Relief Fund go into a big pool which the ARC can spend as it sees fit for any type of 'disaster relief,' including (in the case of September 11 money) a multimillion dollar telephone system for its executive offices.

I wrote about this last year after the three Florida hurricanes. If you must donate to the Red Cross, please do it by telephone or by mail, and put 'Hurricane Katrina relief' on the memo line of your check.
posted by lambchop1 at 10:43 AM on August 31, 2005

Wow, allow me to vote for the opposite action - just donate to someplace that does good stuff. Do we really need another bunch of 9/11 fund debacles with earmarked money going unused?

The flooding of New Orleans has had me on the edge of tears for over a day now BUT those people you see in need, homeless, cold, wet, hungry, sick, injured? They're just a high concentration of something that is ALL OVER THE WORLD. There were people hungry and homeless before Katrina was even a tropical storm, it just wasn't all over your tv.

If these disasters motivate people to open their hearts and wallets, great, but why not let the organizations devoted to helping people do the prioritization? It's not like any of them are going to say "Katrina who?"
posted by phearlez at 11:48 AM on August 31, 2005

I agree with phearlez.
posted by tippiedog at 1:25 PM on August 31, 2005

Response by poster: That's fine if you think donations would be better used on a worldly level....great fine dandy....and those would be which trustworthy organizations may I ask?
posted by Gooney at 1:42 PM on August 31, 2005

How about Habitat for Humanity? It seems like a lot of already poor people have suddenly become homeless, too.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 3:45 PM on August 31, 2005

Mercy Corps
posted by mosch at 8:28 PM on August 31, 2005

If you give to the Red Cross, please don't do it online; their online donation form does not allow you to direct your money to Hurricane Katrina relief.

Actually, I donated through the Red Cross website two nights ago and the form has an easy to find and specific section where you can clearly identify to use the money for Katrina Hurrican relief.
posted by RoseovSharon at 11:46 PM on August 31, 2005

Goony, if you don't trust an organization to use money donated for their general use fund wisely I don't see why you'd trust them to use earmarked money well either.
posted by phearlez at 10:45 AM on September 1, 2005

a coworker has baby clothes she would like to send, but can't find anyone who will take them. Any ideas?
posted by th3ph17 at 12:16 PM on September 1, 2005

I can't donate in good conscience to the Red Cross. They routinely discriminate against gay men. I'm also uncomfortable donating to religious groups. For that reason, I donated to America's Second Harvest. I hope they're above-board and effective.
posted by jiawen at 10:48 PM on September 2, 2005