ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catholic Charities
USA's Disaster Response Office has sent Catholic Charities San
Bernardino/Riverside a $10,000 grant to help the agency meet the emergency
needs-such as shelter, food, clothing-for those families displaced by the
Southern California wildfires.
As the wildfires become contained and families are permitted to return
to their homes, the agency-which serves the San Bernardino and Riverside
Counties in Southern California's Inland Valleys -- is gearing up to
potentially help hundreds of families who will find their homes destroyed,
structurally damaged, or uninhabitable because of smoke, water, or other
damage.
Catholic Charities will assist evacuated families make the transition
from their evacuation locations-shelters, private residences, hotels, RVs,
and parks-back into their homes or other temporary housing and provide them
the much-needed services, including temporary housing, food, store
vouchers, medicine, and assistance with FEMA applications.
"We will be paying special attention to our community's most vulnerable
low-income families," said Ken F. Sawa, CEO of Catholic Charities San
Bernardino/Riverside. "As we have seen from past disasters, their needs
will be numerous and many may have temporarily or permanently lost their
jobs because of the fires."
The agency is also in the process of hiring five temporary caseworkers
to increase its capacity to serve individuals and families.
Catholic Charities USA's Office of Disaster Response is working closely
with local agencies to ensure that the affected agencies have the tools and
resources they need to respond to the fires. A CCUSA Disaster Response Team
is currently working in California providing technical assistance, case
management, and other support.
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.
Catholic Charities USA is collecting donations to support local agencies'
recovery efforts. To contribute:
Call (800) 919-9338
Visit http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org
Send checks to
Catholic Charities USA
Southern California Wildfires 2007
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.
SOURCE Catholic Charities USA
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Related links:
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org
CONTACT:
Shelley Borysiewicz of Catholic Charities
USA, +1-301-461-0812, sborysiewicz@catholiccharitiesusa.org
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