Hurricane Katrina Evacuees Escape to Atlanta Placing Strain on Local Aid Organizations

Many Hurricane Katrina Pre-Evacuees and Evacuees choose to come to Atlanta . Prior to the hurricane and the breaching of the levees, many Louisiana , Alabama and Mississippi natives were already flooding into the Atlanta area. In fact, many in the news and aid communities were alerted to the situation prior to governmental response because of the immediate and profound impact that these displaced families had on our own city.

"We started to field calls and requests for food, clothing and housing assistance even before the devastating news about the horrors occurring in the Superdome came to light," said Elizabeth Omilami, Co-Chair, Hosea Feed The Hungry. "These families packed up what they could and drove through the night to stay with friends, family and extended relatives to stay out of the path of the hurricane. When the levees broke and the photos of the overall devastation were broadcast, they learned that the homes and neighborhoods that they had always known were gone and many decided to stay here."

Hosea Feed The Hungry is currently assisting 70 families of displaced individuals each day versus our usual 30 families per day. "Our staff, resources and donations are all being used primarily for the Hurricane Katrina victims while we are still fighting to meet the needs of our usual clientele of Atlantans/Suburban Atlantans, the homeless, the hungry, etc," said Omilami.

When FEMA and the Red Cross start evaluating the assistance and addresses of the Hurricane Evacuees, we feel pretty strongly that the facts will bear out that - outside of Houston and Baton Rouge - a disproportionate number of Evacuees are here in Atlanta , Georgia versus many of the other southern metropolitan areas. That is because of Atlanta 's very positive reputation as a beautiful southern city and as a " Mecca for Black People".

What do we need?: listing on your website as a relief organization

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Polls or polling information on the actual facts as to where Hurricane Katrina Evacuees are located throughout the country.

Elizabeth Omilami

Co-Chair, Hosea Feed The Hungry

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