Via an email from my future SIL, here’s some information from a contact at Memphis’ MIFA.org (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association). If you are a Katrina refugee in Memphis or headed there or know of people in Memphis who need help, please pass on this information.

MIFA will assist in every way possible to help in this extraordinary emergency while continuing to try to meet the needs of Memphians. Please pass this information on to anyone who is interested.

· Evacuees who need food, medical care, school for their children and shelter should call the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau at 543-5300. This is the main hotline number for Memphis. The CVB can supply appropriate contact points and a list of available hotel/motel rooms or information on local congregations that can provide shelter. A large shelter at a place like the Coliseum will not be opened until the local FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is involved.

· MIFA’s Emergency Services office can supply emergency food. MIFA is screening walk-ins and distributing non-perishable food through the MIFA Food Pantry system to hurricane victims who show proper identification. Regular screening is between 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Monday ? Friday at the 910 Vance Ave. headquarters. Screening for victims from Katrina will extend through the afternoon.

· Although businesses and individuals have been offering items and services, MIFA is not accepting things like blankets, food or mattresses unless they’re regular donations for programs like the Thrift Shoppe or MIFA Housing Opportunities.

· Christ United Methodist Church is acting as the local congregational shelter clearinghouse for storm refugees. The church?s main number is (901) 683-3521 for victims seeking shelter. Those who want to offer their homes as shelter should call Rebecca Locastro at (901) 261-4386. A database of those who need shelter is being developed and will be matched with volunteers who can house people in their homes. Some screening protocol is in place.

· All food donations should go to the Memphis Food Bank at 239 S. Dudley. The organization’s main number is (901) 527-0841. Local Food Pantries, including MIFA, can then get the inventory they need from the Food Bank.

· The most appropriate organization to mobilize volunteer help in this type of disaster is the Mid-South chapter of the American Red Cross. The number there is (901) 726-1690.

Below is a listing from http://www.hallelujahfm.com about area shelters and needs:

SHELTERS:

Trinity Baptist Church, 7200 Swinnea Road in Southaven, MS

Cathedral of Faith Ministries, 2212 Jackson 901-327-1616

Cummings Street Baptist Church, 250 East Raines Road, 901-345-2100

Lacy Hardaway Jr. Memorial Senior Center, 2264 South Lauderdale 901-461-2416

Bellevue Baptist Church GRACE Family Life Center, 2000 Appling Road, Cordova, TN 901-347-5420

The Grand Casino Event Center in Tunica, MS (full to capacity)

G.W. Henderson Health and Recreation Center, 1165 Abbey Drive (off U.S. Highway 61), Tunica

White Oak Recreation Center at 1100 White Oak Road (off State Highway 4), Tunica

Dundee Recreation Center at 9140 Dundee Road (off U.S. Highway 61), Tunica

Church in Covington, TN - contact Diane Lindsay at 901-496-7399

Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis

Friendship Baptist Church - 1355 Vollentine - 901-274-5990 is open for shelter and meals

Germantown Presbyterian Church offering food and shelter - 901-754-5195

Greater Praise COGIC, 3282 Millington Road, 901-353-0831 offering shelter for 50-60 people. Ask for Pam Smith or Jackie Johnson

Ridgeway Baptist Church, 901-832-9243

Church. Call Jan Culbreath. 901-854-3844 or 901-212-9646

First Baptist Church, Missouri St., West Memphis, AR

First Baptist Church, Marion, AR, 870-739-4483

Calvary Church, West Memphis, TN 870-735-8181 or 870-735-5020

Cornerstone Inst. Baptist, 901-751-0333. Gym, facility, kitchen available. No showers

Easthaven Church of Christ 901-363-8841. Shower facilities and full kitchen w/ dining area

New Hickory Hill 901-794-7804

Freedom Temple 901-406-5690

Items needed: Food (perishable & non perishable), blankets, Bottle Water, Towels, Sleeping Bags, Personal hygiene products, Cots,

DROP OFF LOCATIONS

Personal hygiene items including bars of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.

Cleaning supplies such as bleach, disinfectant, buckets, mops, brooms, sponges, rubber gloves, trash bags, etc.

VP/Public Affairs
MIFA, 910 Vance Ave.,
Memphis, TN 38126

I removed the personal information of the email sender.

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1. So correct. The best idea out there is for all families of wealth who have second homes to offer their residences. This would be the best parent news MommyCool.com could hear to help children. They need schools and stable envirnoment to get through this.

   Posted by PapaCool  on  09/01/05  at  04:54 PM

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