March 10, 2006

N.C. HELPING NEIGHBORS FUND: MONEY AVAILABLE FOR KATRINA VICTIMS IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY

Charlotte, NC - Mecklenburg County has received $79,406 from the North Carolina Governor's Office to help Hurricane Katrina evacuees. The money must be used to help evacuees by March 31. The funds were donated through the North Carolina Helping Neighbors Fund, which is administered by the Governor's Office.

To take advantage of this help, Katrina evacuees must provide a FEMA registration number. They must also have a need in one or more of the following areas which cannot be met by other funding:

• Food or food supplies
• Prescriptions and medical supplies
• Medical services
• Rental assistance or mortgage payment
• Utility payments
• Car repair (very limited)
• Bus tickets to support employment, medical, and related needs. Gasoline may also be considered in relationship to housing, employment, medical

Evacuees must go through their case manager to get access to this assistance. Any evacuee in Mecklenburg County with a FEMA registration number, but without a case manager, can contact Lutheran Family Services at 704-940-3333 (press "2" for Katrina case management information).

Currently, three agencies are providing case management: Lutheran Family Services, the Salvation Army, and the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services. These three agencies will make the referral to Crisis Assistance Ministry, which has been contracted to screen requests, confirm eligibility and recommend specific aid. No cash payments will be made to evacuees; authorized payments will go directly to the vendors who are providing the service.

Funding statewide from the N.C. Helping Neighbors Fund is about $275,000. Any unused money may be redistributed to counties with a continued need. More information on the N.C. Helping Neighbors Fund is available at the Web site www.nchelpingneighbors.org.