~patches~ wrote:
> Obfood - food & water is desperately needed in the hurricane areas.
> Please donate whatever you can. Several churches and charities
> including the Red Cross have set up drop off points. Oh and don't
> forget to donate blood if you possibly can. I'm sure there will be a
> need for it in the hurricane areas as well.

I was reading Fark.com earlier...and someone who both has worked for
the Red Cross and also was a volunteer after Andrew suggested this:
Send money *now* if you can. Wait a week or so to donate blood. Right
now what is needed is money - the need for blood will come later, and
since blood has a limited shelf-life...

The Fark.com poster also suggested that you give blood as often as
medically possible, because the need will extend way beyond this
initial crisis.

Another r.f.c-poster in this thread warned about bogus charities;
that's a sad fact of life. On Fark, a poster recommended that you stick
with known charities, such as the Red Cross...and also the Humane
Society, because so many animals were also affected. If your church is
sending volunteers, that's another option. Failing that, try calling
your local county/city government office; I know that Indianapolis is
sending in a Task Force - and if we are, I know that all y'all's towns
are! They can advise you on what charities are real also.

Lisa Ann