Red Cross Phone Number For Evacuees

[editor]

DATE: 9/10/2005

American Red Cross Launches Toll-Free Call Center to Assist Hurricane Evacuees Service Center Opens to Assist Evacuees in Houston

To: Houston Regional Media Outlets

American Red Cross Launches Toll-Free Call Center to Assist Hurricane Evacuees Service Center Opens to Assist Evacuees in Houston

HOUSTON, TEXAS, September 10, 2005 - Today, the American Red Cross launched a nation-wide toll-free call center to assist Hurricane Katrina evacuees. The toll-free call center will provide financial resources and referrals to services for hurricane survivors across the nation.

Families in need can access this program by calling 1-800-975-7585 beginning at 8:00 am Sunday. To apply for aid by telephone, evacuees calling in must be ready to provide their name, pre-storm address, ZIP Code and home telephone number to call center agents. Callers must be prepared to write down a client identification number which they will take to a financial institution in their new community to receive the support.

In the Houston area, the American Red Cross opened a Service Center, Saturday, September 10. Individuals and families coming to the center will have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with a trained Individual Service Provider, who will talk confidentially with those affected by the hurricane, and help identify their disaster-caused needs. The Red Cross is able to provide assistance, based on family size.

Location and Operation Hours for Red Cross Service Center:

St Agnes Baptist Church

3730 S. Acres Drive

Houston

Open daily: 9:00 am -7:00 p.m.

Individuals or families who apply for assistance through the Service Center must bring with them some form of identification showing their address, as proof that they lived in the area affected by the disaster. All family members do not need to appear in person-only heads of households to the center. Those individuals and families who have already received direct American Red Cross financial assistance at other locations should not apply for additional assistance.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donation of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of this disaster and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-275-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, PO Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

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