Afterthe Red Cross fiasco of 9/11 I now give to my local religious denomonation.
Our denomination has the equipment to make 20k meals a day and the workers are all retired volunteers. All we have to pay for is the meals and gas to get them down there. They are already there and we have trucks making trips to and from here sending food and supplies/water to keep the kitchen cooking.
I would check for the same in your area but I just don't trust the Red Cross.
RB<><
The Salvation Army is the best org. to give to. We have (fortunately) limited flood experience here (S.W. Pa.). My mother-in-law's property flood yearly...(and she does have flood insurance, and it doesn't cover much...but that is another thread). The Red Cross gives 'cleaning kits' (a box w/bottles of bleach/rubber gloves, a mop and broom). These are usually given out at photo ops w/local politician types in tow. Then the Red Cross goes away. They are done. The Salvation Army, however, brings their canteen trucks thru day after day (during the clean up) offering bottled water, boxed meals, etc. The Salvation Army does a huge service.
Thanks RB.