Convoy of Hope Moves In as Katrina Moves On
Although the population of Louisiana and Mississippi may be holed up and riding out Hurricane Katrina, Convoy of Hope trucks are moving forward with what is sure to be precious relief supplies. The three trucks loaded with supplies will meet in Natchez, La. Monday afternoon, moving into the affected area when government officials and partner organizations help determine the best point of distribution based on need, and practicality. “It’s like we’re all dressed up and waiting to go,” said operations director Randy Rich.
“We’ve been responding to natural disasters for more than 10 years, but if Katrina lives up to her reputation as the storm to end all storms, we will have never seen anything like this,” said Rich. Convoy of Hope has committed to sending 27 loads of ice, water, food and other relief supplies to help the victims in Katrina’s wake.
Convoy of Hope officials are looking ahead to the Labor Day holiday weekend. Realizing that commerce and transportation may be difficult, they are taking extra care to ensure victims have adequate supplies through the weekend.
“We anticipate a huge path of destruction and could pretty much set up shop and distribute relief supplies from anywhere,” said U.S. director Kary Kingsland. “We want to be located where the destruction is greatest and we can make the most difference.”
Several Florida-based radio and television news groups have contacted Convoy of Hope, wanting to help the organization that helped them sort through hurricane aftermath. They all share the same theme, “You were there for us, now we want to be there for you.”
Convoy of Hope relies heavily on corporate and private donations and the organization is able to stretch a dollar to its limits. “Although people’s generosity and natural desire to help leads them to want to donate goods, we can really do much more with cash donations,” said procurement director Erick Meier. “Where an individual may be able to get a case of water for $5, we can get four cases for the same amount.”
Corporations may want to sponsor a load and its shipping costs, businesses could sponsor the shipping of a load, and individuals can make an online donation to assist the organization’s response to Hurricane Katrina.
For more information:
Jeff Nene, Media and Communications Director, 417/823-8998, 417/860-2196 mobile
Kristin Kubitschek, Public Relations Director, 417/823-8998, 417/894-9084 mobile
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For more than ten years, Convoy of Hope™, a nonprofit organization, has provided resources to organizations and churches to meet physical and spiritual needs for the purpose of making the community a better place. This is accomplished through domestic and international outreaches, supply lines, and disaster response.