I was working on my final reflections about the Eat Local Challenge a couple of days ago when the severe devastation and tragedy of Hurricane Katrina became known. Today is Blogging for Relief day, a national blogging campaign to raise money for the survivors of the hurricane and the process of recovery and rebuilding.
This tragedy ranks as the worst hurricane to hit our country in at least a generation. It will be months before the city of New Orleans will electricity. Once people return to the city (though for most, not their homes which have been destoryed) the long task of rebuilding a large, international city will begin. I'm mindful, after attempting to Eat Local for a month, that for the residents of the Gulf Coast having food imported in may be the only way they eat for a long time. The images of
largely urban flooding shield us from the reality that acres of
food-producing farmland and livestock may have been lost too--the
effects of which will be felt for years to come.
There are many ways to reach out and help those affected by this natural disaster. Episcopal Relief and Development--an organization that sends emergency aid in when a crisis such as Hurricane Katrina blows in--is accepting donations that will be sent directly to those in need. You can make a donation by clicking on the Donate Now button to the left. I hope those of us who have extra resources (the price of dinner at a restaurant, say) will donate to the relief effort.
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