Red Cross Serves Ten Millionth Meal In Response To Florida Hurricanes

Recent hurricanes result in largest Red Cross feeding and sheltering response in its history

MEDIA NOTE: Red Cross experts are available to talk about disaster preparedness and response. Contact the Red Cross Public Affairs Desk at (202) 303-5551 to facilitate an interview.

WASHINGTON, Monday, October 04, 2004 — While undertaking the largest response in its history to a natural disaster, the Red Cross served its ten millionth meal over the weekend. This number more than doubles the number of meals served during Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Since August 13, the Red Cross has been on the scene in the devastated areas sheltering people who have been forced from their homes, feeding and distributing safe drinking water to those affected, many without power, and providing a shoulder to lean on in these difficult times.

“The recent series of hurricanes in Florida and Alabama has prompted an unprecedented response for the Red Cross, not only in the sheer volume of food and supplies that we are providing, but also in the number of volunteers and employees who have heeded the call to action,” said Joe Becker, Vice President of Response for the American Red Cross. The organization is still serving more than 100,000 meals and snacks every day.

The Red Cross works with partners, such as the Southern Baptists Convention to provide its many services. Since 1987, the Red Cross and the Southern Baptists Convention have worked together to expand the reach of Red Cross feeding and distribution sites. In this partnership, the Red Cross supplies and distributes the food while the Southern Baptists Convention set up and staff the kitchens and recruit their volunteers to cook it.

“This disaster relief operation demonstrates the level of cooperation between Southern Baptists and the Red Cross,” said Mickey Caison, Manager of Adult Volunteer Mobilization, North American Mission Board, and Southern Baptist Convention. “Our partnership has grown with each response,” he added.

In addition to meals and snacks, over the past seven weeks, the Red Cross has set up 1,733 shelters, housing 415,589 people.

People seeking information on shelters, mental health support, emergency care or other areas of need can call the Red Cross hotline at 1-866-GET-INFO.

Those wishing to help people affected by this and other disasters can make a financial donation by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW or www.redcross.org.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of 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 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.