I was 200 miles north in Mississippi when Katrina hit. We had a lot of damage. And the motels were full of people who evacuated from the storms path. Guess who was there in the parking lots with their canteens feeding these people? The Salvation Army! No electricity for a week or more so there were no restaurants open. The Churches in town also opened their doors, quit a few have kitchens and provided cooked meals. The Red Cross was useless in this situation. People were needing Food and clothes which the Red Cross was refusing as a donation. I would donate Blood to them but never money!
They need help in lower Manhattan if this blog is correct.
http://gothamist.com/2012/10/31/outrage_in_the_powerless_zone_a_dis.php