Society of St. Vincent de Paul aids victims of Hurricane Katrina

Published: 2006-01-12

ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- Thanks to a donation from the people of Saudi Arabia, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has sent goods valued at $2.88 million to its councils in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta and Baton Rouge, La., to assist families affected by Hurricane Katrina. The goods include new furniture, clothing and household goods for Katrina victims in need of basic items. In related news, the U.S. council of the society, based in St. Louis, was among 10 social service and voluntary organizations selected to become part of the $66 million Katrina Aid Today initiative, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Catholic Charities USA, based in Alexandria, Va., also was among the organizations selected for the initiative, which is coordinated by the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The 10 agencies will oversee 3,000 professional staff and volunteers who will assist 100,000 families displaced by Hurricane Katrina to rebuild their lives.

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