Individuals who are members of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans can have their gifts matched for maximum impact. Please go to www.thrivent.com/fraternal/katrina.html for more information.

For those individuals or groups seeking to volunteer or to contribute capacity or materials, Lutheran Disaster Response is creating a centralized database of that information - a virtual warehouse into which those coordinating efforts can dip as they identify needs. Please send detailed e-mail information with capacity and contact information to Erin.Day@elca.org. Patience is requested as there will be great need over many months.

Lutheran Disaster Response expresses gratitude to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. LSS Illinois sent a team of counselors to assist the LDR Resource Information Service operators and staff in dealing with calls particularly from individuals seeking assistance. LDR is also grateful to colleagues at Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and Lutheran World Relief who are coordinating with LDR to bring their specialized skills to bear on this situation.

The items below are the latest updates from Lutheran social ministry organizations in the affected areas:

Lutheran Social Services of the South has two facilities that have been severely damaged in New Orleans. One, Bethlehem Children's Center, housed 45 children and youth. Though the building was completely flooded and is a total loss, the children were safely evacuated. They spent several days housed at the gymnasium of Trinity Lutheran Church in Baton Rouge, where that congregation provided for the care of children and staff. The children and staff were moved yesterday, ten hours by bus, to LSS' Bokenkamp Residential Treatment Center in Corpus Christi, TX. God's grace intervened as LSS had just completed two new dormitories on that campus to house 40 children. Clearly, both staff and children have been traumatized and are coping with enormous losses as the result of the flooding.

Another LSS of the South facility, Peace Lake Towers, is an independent living housing ministry in New Orleans. Because communication and travel are not yet possible, LSS is waiting for a full report on the situation and is working with FEMA and the Coast Guard.

LSS of the South is serving as the official disaster response agency for Texas and Louisiana for Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR). They are working with LDR, Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, The Southern District, The Texas District, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, LCMS World Relief and Human Care and Lutheran Services in America to coordinate disaster response on behalf of the Lutheran Church in Louisiana and Texas.

Lutheran/Episcopal Services of Mississippi remains out of contact as a result of the extended communication difficulties. It is assumed that they have suffered much programmatic disruption, but the extent of loss and damage is not yet known.

Lutheran Ministries of Alabama also remains out of contact and programmatic disruption, at the least, is assumed.

Lutheran Services Florida suffered comparatively minor roof and water damage to one building in the Miami area. LSF is engaged in providing assistance to others.

Gary Danielsen, CEO of Lutheran Services of Georgia, reports that Bob Tribble, the disaster response coordinator from Georgia, left yesterday to go to Alabama and Mississippi to provide assistance.

Mosaic is opening shelter space in their facility in Texas for evacuees with disabilities.

For the latest information and to learn more about how you can help you are encouraged to visit the Lutheran Disaster Response website at www.ldr.org.