Web Posted: 09/25/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Guillermo Contreras, Express-News Staff Writer

While most area relief agencies are helping people displaced by Hurricane Katrina, some have started accepting donations for evacuees of Hurricane Rita.

"Right now we are still dealing with the effects of Katrina," said Zuani Villarreal, director of development for the San Antonio Food Bank. "That's going to be a long-term project, along with helping with shelters set up for Rita, and serving the 40,000 households in our 16-county service area every month.

"In addition to our daily fight against hunger for southwest Texans, we've taken the challenge of helping victims of Katrina and Rita."

The Food Bank needs canned food, packaged snacks, volunteers and money, Villarreal said. The local chapter of the American Red Cross, which accepts cash donations, said it's still trying to reach the total it estimates will be needed to pay for Katrina relief efforts. More than 2,100 Katrina evacuees are being housed in San Antonio shelters.

"Our folks in Washington are estimating we'd need about $2 billion to serve victims of Katrina nationwide," said Michael Bennett, chief executive officer for the local Red Cross chapter. "We probably have raised or have pledges for something over $800 million. We just never faced a disaster that affected this many people.

"We don't have calculations for Rita yet," Bennett added. "In a couple of days, we've sheltered probably 17,000 people in San Antonio alone. We'll also have that cost in Austin, Dallas, Oklahoma and other places where they evacuated."

The Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries are accepting donations of clothing, furniture and other household goods.

"We're short on furniture," said Aaron Yates of the Salvation Army's main store at 1324 S. Flores St.

The Salvation Army takes donations at any of its five stores, or people can call (210) 223-6877 to schedule a pickup Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Donations also can be made at any area Goodwill store or donation station..

"Once they (hurricane victims) sign up for job-help services, each member of their family gets a voucher or gift card to get clothing in the stores," said Kenya Walton, a customer service representative for Goodwill. "We are taking donations for Hurricane Katrina. We are not sure yet if we are going to do anything for Rita."