((((((((((((((chalmette))))))))))))))))

I have been debating if I should respond or not, but I am because what happened with the Red Cross should not have happened to you. Not at all.

At that time, I was in AmeriCorps and my site was the Red Cross. I know a lot of s*it went down with all the agencies down there and a lot of stuff happened that shouldn't have. One huge problem is that all those organizations are volunteers - and not all volunteers do right. We actually had people who needed food gathering up the food we were providing and then *selling* it to others! All Red Cross services are free, so if someone tells you different, they are a fraud.
I wish I could go back and change it for you Chalmette, make it have worked the way it should have. I'm not with AmeriCorps or Red Cross anymore (excpet for fire duty) , but I would offer the biggest appology possible if it would help in any small form.
Also, Red Cross does not take material goods (all regs are supposed to be National wide, but we all know how that goes from state to state) -according to my chapter on the west coast. Salvation Army does. And MercyCorps might.

I think if there were a change in the world i could make, it would be to get all those organizations; FEMA, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Mercy Corps, to work better together and work as they are supposed to - effeciently, not have loop holes, get out all the corrupted people and bad-hearted volunteers, and get everyone on the same page in accordance of making a difference in the lives of people.

But none of that will help you right now. =(
I am so sorry
kiya