Responding to those in need

>>>An update about the Catholic response to those most affected by the BP Oil Spill.

More that 18,000 oil spill victims have sought help from Catholic Charities since May 1
By: CCANO
Friday July 30th 2010
Catholic Charities still operating 5 emergency relief centers for victims of the oil spill


OIL SPILL RESPONSE

In order to serve the fishing communities affected by the oil spill, Catholic Charities and our affiliated ministry Second Harvest Food Bank have partnered with Catholic Church parishes, local governments, state agencies (DSS and DHH), and other area non-profits.

At our five oil spill relief centers, families can receive food vouchers to local grocery stores, case management services, crisis counseling and other emergency supplies.

Catholic Charities has been on the ground providing help and hope in our response to the oil spill since May 1, 2010, eleven days after the April 20th Deepwater Horizon explosion.

Through July 30, 2010:



We have provided emergency assistance to 18,541 people (6,983 families).
We have distributed $587,247 in food vouchers to affected families and $78,540 in emergency food boxes from our affiliated ministry Second Harvest Food Bank.
Our affiliated ministry Second Harvest Food Bank has distributed about 391,086 pounds of food (about 305,000 meals) to its member agencies in 11 Louisiana parishes affected by the oil spill.
We have distributed 393 cans of baby formula and 1,051 packages of diapers.
Our mental health crisis counselors have provided crisis counseling to 5,843 people.
We have distributed $182,688 in other direct assistance and baby supplies to families.


Families in need can visit one of our oil spill relief centers or call the toll-free Catholic Charities Care Line: 866-891-2210


We are accepting monetary donations to the Catholic Charities Oil Spill Relief Fund on our website: www.ccano.org.



We are operating five oil spill relief centers in the affected areas:

St. Bernard Catholic Church in St. Bernard
St. Thomas in Point-a-la-Hache
St. Patrick in Port Sulphur
Mary, Queen of Vietnam in NO East
St. Anthony in Lafitte
We are also providing counseling information and referrals at Breton Sound and Venice, LA.