Charity In Action
I have three updates on Charity In Action, mentioned here earlier today.
First, I have an email from them with the following additional information:
Charity In Action is working in direct conjunction with the contacts in effected areas. We are coordinating our Relief Deliveries with FEMA, the U.S. military and the Salvation Army. We have warehouses and a military base standing by to receive our supplies and the Salvation Army ready to manage and distribute them.
This is something that makes Charity In Action stand a bit apart from many other faith-based efforts. If you want to have an immediate and direct impact on specific shelters' needs, this is an excellent organization to do it through. In the email, I'm also told that the Salvation Army tells us that the shelters we're working with are in desperate need; so far they have received nothing but refugees at these facilities. The first Charity in Action truck is rolling today.
Also, the Charity In Action website has been updated with some new information:
Charity In Action has been in communication with our contacts at FEMA, the Salvation Army and the military this morning. They are counting on us for Relief Deliveries by tractor-trailer. The need is overwhelming. The Salvation Army Shelters are filled with people, but no food, clothing or supplies. The military base has a warehouse ready to receive and distribute the supplies we bring down.A truck has been procured. Our coordinator in charge of large supply procurement has been working with Sam’s Club – they estimate it will take about $40,000 worth of goods to fill one truck. The Salvation Army needs supplies to be palletized as much as possible. Cash donations will help fill this truck by enabling us to purchase full pallets of items from Sam’s Club.
Donations of food and supplies will go on the Ivyland truck. (See Relief Deliveries pages for more information).
Michael Peters, the Salvation Army Long Beach Shelter Coordinator in Mississippi told us this morning, "The need is so great...God bless you". We have told him we plan to bring multiple trucks.
An important note about clothing donations – there is a real need for XXL size clothing; Women’s size 22 and larger. Used but clean clothing and bedding is great. New packages of underwear appreciated.
Regarding food donations, they have no refrigeration. Ideally they need foods that don’t need to be cooked. High protein products are needed, i.e. canned stews. #10 cans please.
Go to Charity In Action now to find out how you can help with this and other related efforts.
Finally, good news on the topic of tax-deductability: Charity In Action is now able to accept financial contributions thanks to the non-profit status of its sponsor, the Bryn Athyn Society of the General Church. They desperately need this money in order to fill up their trucks with pallettes from Sam's Club, as well as to pay for truck rentals and gasoline. Also, they are now using the Bryn Athyn Cathedral as a primary drop-off point for donated goods.