Catholic Charities Serves Nearly 30,000 Victims of Hurricane Dolly in Two Days.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Catholic Social Services (CSS) of the Diocese of Brownsville, TX, helped nearly 30,000 victims of Hurricane Dolly in the first two days its four community resources sites were opened.

These sites--which are expected to remain open through Saturday--are located in Cameron, Hidalgo, and Wilacy Counties. They are providing water, food, clean up buckets, rakes, shovels, gloves, personal care kits, and other items to meet the community's needs. CSS will have volunteer physicians at the sites to address medical needs of victims.

"By combining all the resources of local and national partners, these resources sites are creating a 'one-stop' place for disaster victims to receive assistance they need," said Kim Burgo, senior director of Catholic Charities USA's Office of Disaster Response. "These one-stop sites relieve some of the post-disaster stress victims feel in trying to access a multitude of services."

On their first day of operation, the sites assisted a combined total of over 11,700 disaster victims. The numbers climbed the next day to 17,420 disaster victims, with 1,500 hot meals provided.

"These figures are expected grow as the word reaches others who have not been able to access services," said Burgo.

Burgo and a disaster response team of expert staff form Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge, LA, and Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas arrived in the region on Saturday to provide extra support to CSS.

To help victims in the Colinias--economically depressed comities in the region--CSS has set up a mobile team to visit the homebound. Additionally, the State Emergency Management office has asked CSS to assist them by taking the lead in mobile community outreach to the area.

To contribute to CCUSA's Hurricane Dolly relief efforts:

Call [phone]

Visit www.CatholicCharitiesUsa.org

Send checks to
Catholic Charities USA
Hurricane Dolly
PO Box 7068
Merrifield, VA 22116-7068

Catholic Charities USA is unable to accept contributions of food, clothing, blankets and other relief supplies. Its federal ID number is 53-0196620.

Catholic Charities USA, which has been commissioned by the U.S. Catholic Bishops to represent the Catholic community in times of domestic disaster, responds with emergency and long-term assistance as needed. Its Disaster Response Office connects the Church's social service agencies and disaster planning offices across the nation.