Since May 1, more than 9,800 individuals affected by the oil spill have received emergency assistance  through Catholic Charities. 

In order to serve the affected communities we have partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank,  local governments and state agencies (Dept of Social Services and Health and Hospitals) and other local non-profits such as United Way.  We are also very grateful to BP for its $1 million gift that has enabled us to expand our services.

By the numbers, through June 14, 2010:

• 9,819 people (3,283 families) have received emergency assistance from Catholic Charities;
• $185,500 in gift cards and/or food vouchers have been distributed to affected families;
• 1,600 emergency food boxes from Second Harvest Food Bank have been distributed through our oil spill centers, additional food has been distributed by Second Harvest through regular partner food pantries;
• 190 cans of baby formula have been distributed along with 102  boxes of diapers and 291 ½ packs of diapers;
• 1,535 people have received individual counseling and 58 have taken part in group counseling with Catholic Charities crisis counselors;
• $68,459 in direct assistance has been distributed to families.

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Since May 1, more than 7,800 individuals have received emergency assistance from the local Catholic Church through Catholic Charities.  By the numbers, through June 7, 2010:

• 7,803 people (2,369 families) have received emergency assistance from Catholic Charities;
• $140,600 in gift cards and/or food vouchers have been distributed to affected families;
• 952 emergency food boxes from Second Harvest Food Bank have been distributed;
• 177 cans of baby formula have been distributed along with 77 boxes of diapers and 186 ½ packs of diapers;
• 902 people have undergone mental health assessments; and
• 737 people have received individual counseling and 58 have taken part in group counseling with Catholic Charities crisis counselors.

Those wanting to help, can make donations  directly to Catholic Charities at www.ccano.org. 

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Catholic Charities is currently in need of volunteers to help us outreach to families who work in fishing-related industries affected by the oil spill.  All volunteers must initially attend an Oil Spill/ Disaster Relief Volunteer Orientation; orientations will take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday  at 2pm on the 10^th floor of 1000 Howard Avenue New Orleans, LA 70113. 

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       Since May 1, more than 6200 individuals who have been affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have received emergency assistance from the local Catholic Church through Catholic Charities.  By the numbers, through June 1, 2010:

• 6227 people (1883 families) have received emergency assistance from Catholic Charities;
• $102,900 in gift cards and/or food vouchers have been distributed to affected families;
• 845 emergency food boxes from Second Harvest Food Bank have been distributed;
• 173 cans of baby formula have been distributed along with 77 boxes of diapers and 186 ½ packs of diapers;
• 748 people have undergone mental health assessments; and
• 503 people have received individual counseling and 28 have taken part in group counseling with Catholic Charities crisis counselors.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OIL SPILL RELIEF WORK

 Since May 1, more than 4600 individuals have benefited from emergency assistance  through Catholic Charities, and, as oil comes ashore and more fishing waters are closed, the agency is looking at ways to increase service and provide for the communities.

Four emergency relief centers have been established where fishermen can  receive emergency food, case management, crisis counseling and other services: St. Bernard Catholic Church in St. Bernard, St. Patrick Catholic Church in Port Sulphur, St. Thomas Catholic Church in Point a la Hache and Mary Queen of Vietnam Community Development Corporation in New Orleans East.   

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NEWS RELEASE:
May 18, 2010, New Orleans, LA – Today, BP America announced a combined $1 million donation to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana.  The donation will support emergency food assistance, direct financial aid and counseling for fishermen and their families in the affected coastal parishes.

The Catholic Church, through Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and Second Harvest Food Bank has been on the ground since April 29 providing emergency food assistance, case management, counseling services and vouchers to fishermen and their families. 

In the past two weeks, they have served more than 1000 individuals and families and are experiencing a growth in need among the people.  Second Harvest Food Bank Member agencies have already experienced a 15 to 25 percent increase in the number of new people seeking emergency food assistance since May 1.

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Catholic Charities’ services for fishing communities affected by the oil spill in the Gulf will be expanded starting Wednesday, May 19. At this time, we will be providing case management and crisis counseling.

Mary Queen of Vietnam CDC
4626 Alcee Fortier Blvd, Suite E
New Orleans, LA 70129

Please call the Catholic Charities Care Line toll-free at (866) 891-2210 for more information or if you need help.

On Tuesday, May 11, Catholic Charities and our partners will open up an assistance site in St. Bernard Parish for fishermen and their families who are in need due to the oil spill in the Gulf.

Catholic Charities’ case managers, crisis counselors, DSS, DHH and the LA Workforce Commission will be located at the following only through May 14, 2010:

Ducros Library/Los Islenos Museum
1345-1357 Bayou Road
St. Bernard, LA

Starting May 17, Catholic Charities and our partners will be located at the following:

St. Bernard Catholic Church
2805 Bayou Road
St. Bernard, LA

If you or someone you know is in need of aid, please call the Catholic Charities Care Line toll-free at (866) 891-2210.

updated: May 12, 2010

If you need assistance due to the oil spill, please call the Catholic Charities Care Line toll-free at (866) 891-2210.

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, Second Harvest Food Bank, United Way of Greater New Orleans, the LA Workforce Commission and the LA Dept. of Health & Human Services are offering food, crisis counseling, case management, employment assistance, and registration for food stamps & Medicaid at the following locations:

Plaquemines Parish

9 AM - 2 PM
St. Patrick Catholic Church
28698 Highway 23
Port Sulphur, LA 70083

9 AM – 2 PM
St. Thomas Catholic Church
17605 Highway 15
Pointe a la Hache, LA 70082

St. Bernard Parish

St. Bernard Community Center
1519 E. Judge Perez Drive
Chalmette, LA 70043
(504) 281-2627