Archdiocese of New Orleans working hard for those affected by oil spill

>>> This is a great example of the efforts of Catholic Charities, Second Harvest Food Bank and the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Steps like this are huge. And I'm glad the media is reporting this. What will never be added to the story are all the many behind the scene things our Catholic Church is doing to minister to the despair and unknown inflicted on the people of southeast Louisiana by this disaster and those who continue to not solve the problem.

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and Second Harvest Food Bank Receive Donation to Support Emergency Food Assistance, Direct Financial Aid and Counseling for Fishermen and Families in Affected Coastal Parishes
By: SCM
Tuesday May 18th 2010
BP America Support Totals $1 Million
Today, BP America announced a combined $1 million donation to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana. The donation will support emergency food assistance, direct financial aid and counseling for fishermen and their families in the affected coastal parishes.



The Catholic Church, through Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and Second Harvest Food Bank has been on the ground since April 29 providing emergency food assistance, case management, counseling services and vouchers to fishermen and their families. In the past two weeks, they have served more than 1000 individuals and families and are experiencing a growth in need among the people. Second Harvest Food Bank Member agencies have already experienced a 15 to 25 percent increase in the number of new people seeking emergency food assistance since May 1.



“Our first priority in this disaster is the people who are directly impacted and unable to work right now,” said Archbishop Gregory Aymond. “Their livelihood and their way of life are endangered and it is our responsibility as church and as human beings to provide for them in their time of need. This gift from BP America is a blessing for us as it will allow us to continue our mission of service to those directly affected.”



“Catholic Charities’ role has always been that of an early responder and a forever responder. Our expertise is in identifying the needs of the people impacted by a disaster and remaining with them until their needs are served, no matter how long that takes,” added Catholic Charities Co-President Gordon Wadge.



Throughout the month of May, Second Harvest Food Bank has distributed nearly 730 emergency food boxes at disaster relief sites located in St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes and New Orleans East. More than 31,700 totals meals have been distributed at disaster relief sites and by Second Harvest Food Bank member agencies in these areas in May.

“Our response teams were on the ground doing an assessment of human needs on April 29. We knew immediately that the impact would be enormous and we would need to respond quickly. We initially committed a minimum of $300,000 in resources for this initiative, before BP approached us with their offer of help,” said Catholic Charities Co-President Jim Kelly.



“We are so grateful for all of the assistance from Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Second Harvest Food Bank to help our fishermen and their families through this difficult time, and we know this BP donation will go a long way to helping these wonderful agencies continue their support to our community,” Parish President Craig Taffaro said.



The timing of BP America’s donation to Second Harvest Food Bank is critical. Earlier this month, BP America provided an initial $100,000 donation to help Second Harvest Food Bank replace the inventory that the Food Bank was already distributing and to increase food assistance in St. Bernard and Plaquemines.



“This is the time of year we already see significant increases in need for food assistance,” said Alan Allgood, Chief Operations Officer of Second Harvest Food Bank. “BP America’s donation will help ensure that Second Harvest can meet the increased need of the affected fishermen and their families during these uncertain times in addition to the existing need for food assistance across south Louisiana.”



The Louisiana Department of Social Services (DSS) is working to ensure that all impacted families apply for available aid, including the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP outreach teams are working at 13 temporary registration sites in Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Jefferson, St. Tammany, Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. Since May 3, the DSS teams have accepted nearly 800 applications for SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.



In addition, DSS issued an emergency rule last week revising what income and assets can be counted to determine eligibility for SNAP and other federally-funded cash-based aid. The rule, which applies statewide, is designed to target the needs of coastal residents who may have recently lost income, but have assets that put them over the limit to receive aid. The rule also applies to the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), the Kinship Care Subsidy Payment (KCSP) and the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).



“DSS is working through every avenue to ensure that no family that is financially impacted by this disaster goes hungry,” said DSS Secretary Kristy Nichols. “From working with the federal government to make as many people as possible eligible for SNAP benefits, to making our own requests to BP for aid for families, DSS is committed to the fishermen, shrimpers and others whose livelihoods are in the balance.”



DSS estimates that approximately 47,000 households across coastal Louisiana may experience a need for food assistance due to the oil spill.



Individuals in need of ongoing assistance are encouraged to call Catholic Charities Care Line at 1-866-891-2210 or Second Harvest Food Bank at 504-734-1322. Visit www.no-hunger.org for help locating a Second Harvest Food Bank member agency in their local community.

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans is home to approximately 470,000 Catholics in the eight civil parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, and Washington. Established as a Catholic diocese in 1793, it is one of the oldest Catholic dioceses in the country and has been one of the shaping influences of New Orleans’ culture. Today, the archdiocese continues Jesus Christ’s work of evangelization and care for the poor through its 108 church parishes, 85 Catholic schools and numerous social apostolate ministries that provide food, clothing, housing, counseling and much more to the most vulnerable of our society. Lead by Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond, 14th Archbishop of New Orleans, the Catholic Church in New Orleans has been a vital part of New Orleans’ post-Katrina rebirth from reopening schools to rebuilding homes to responding to crisis in the New Orleans community.



Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans is an umbrella agency with 45 programs delivering health and human services to the poor and vulnerable in the 8 civil parishes of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Catholic Charities serves the homeless, hungry, the elderly, at-risk youth, pregnant women, individuals with developmental delays, and many more. For more information, please visit www.ccano.org or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/cathcharitiesNO.



Second Harvest Food Bank

Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana is leading the fight against hunger in south Louisiana through food distribution, education, advocacy and disaster response. Annually, Second Harvest serves approximately 263,000 people, including 82,000 children and 40,000 seniors, through 235 nonprofit and faith-based agencies across 23 south Louisiana parishes. In any given week, nearly 42,000 people access emergency food services through Second Harvest Food Bank member agencies.

Second Harvest Food Bank is an affiliated corporation of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and a member of Feeding America. To learn more or donate food, money or time, please visit www.no-hunger.org.