Hurrican Ida
Catholic Charities USA is coordinating efforts with local agencies to provide assistance to those impacted by Hurricane Ida, especially those located in and around New Orleans. Gifts support agencies working to provide critical aid, including food and water, emergency shelter, financial assistance, crisis counseling, and logistical support. Donations can be made at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.
Haitian Earthquake
With the recent earthquake in Haiti, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) field staff are identifying critical needs and coordinating the delivery of life-saving supplies.Based on past CRS disaster relief efforts, tarps, blankets, medical equipment, food, and other emergency supplies will be critical over the next several days. Please consider donating here.
Afghan Refugees
Afghan refugees are arriving to Fort McCoy located in Tomah, WI and volunteer efforts are being coordinated by local Catholic Charities agencies. Food and shelter is being provided by the US military, but there are still ways that people can help. Catholic Charities La Crosse has created Amazon and Target charitable donation lists for items in need, and Catholic Charities for the Dioceses of La Crosse and Green Bay have websites where interested volunteers with legal, social work, counseling, education and immigration/refugee experience are encouraged to volunteer.
Donations especially need: winter clothing and winter boots. (Smaller sizes are needed, i.e. no larger than a men's size 9 shoe size.) All donated items must be new as there is no capacity to sort through gently used items.
Week long volunteers are needed. Volunteers must be age 21 or over and pass the federal, state and Diocese of La Crosse background checks. Interested volunteers should contact Jay Sugar at Catholic Charities Milwaukee, who is coordinating the Milwaukee volunteers: jsugar@ccmke.org.