[StBernard] Operation Compassion Ensures Hurricane Relief Supplies Stay Stocked

[Westley Annis]

Operation Compassion Ensures Hurricane Relief Supplies Stay Stocked

Operation Compassion opened a multi-faceted facility to ensure supplies
never get depleted.

Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2006 Posted: 1:55:34PM EST



About 420,000 families were displaced by the U.S. Gulf Coast hurricanes and
while charity agencies have kept aid flowing with mobile units and disaster
relief centers, Operation Compassion opened a multi-faceted facility to
ensure supplies never get depleted.

The charitable organization opened the New Orleans Ministries and Command
Center (NOMACC) in Chalmette to serve as the hub of distribution in and
around the ravaged city. The warehouse is being stocked to capacity with
semi trucks refilling products on a weekly basis. Its stock is expected to
meet the needs of the Gulf Coast victims until satisfied. 

Much of the distribution at the NOMACC is of family food boxes that an
additional box truck, measuring 26 feet, delivers each day to areas where
families have limited or no resources. 

Hot meals are also provided through Operation Compassion's feeding station.
The mobile commercial kitchens can prepare 7,000 to 10,000 meals per day. 

While Operation Compassion has the physical relief covered, the organization
invited a group of chaplains to help relieve the stress and emotional toll
that the hurricane wrought on to the people. The Chaplain's Commission has
sent more than 50 teams to aid at the NOMACC.

Operation Compassion began relief efforts when Katrina struck the Gulf Coast
more than six months ago. Monetary aid totaled $30,000 which was directed
toward pastors who had lost their churches and income. Additionally, 19
disaster relief sites were established in southern Louisiana and several
hundred semi trucks loaded with food and disaster relief products were sent.

Meanwhile, nearly $2 billion in federal disaster aid for Katrina evacuees
remains unclaimed. Only 11 states requested aid, still leaving millions of
the congressionally approved federal money unused as families are in
tremendous need.

States have until Aug. 31 to apply for the Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families program, according to Wade Horn, assistant secretary of the Health
and Human Services Department.>

Audrey Barrick
audrey at christianpost.com 

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