Extensive feeding operation continues as bulk distribution ramps up over the weekend

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This weekend, the American Red Cross has a major effort underway to hand out relief supplies while continuing to provide meals, shelter and comfort to people throughout New Jersey and all five boroughs of New York.

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"Every day Red Cross volunteers are loading trucks and traveling to affected neighborhoods with food and supplies. Our disaster workers are carrying these relief items up multiple flights of stairs in high rises, doing whatever we can to reach more people who need help," said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president of Disaster Services for the Red Cross. "We understand that people are living in very tough conditions and we are doing everything possible to assist them during this difficult time."

Throughout neighborhoods devastated by Sandy, Red Cross volunteers are handing out thousands of bags stuffed with relief supplies such as cleaning, hygiene and comfort items over the weekend. Approximately 90 percent of the more than 5,700 Red Cross disaster workers deployed are volunteers who have left the comfort of their home and family to help those in need.

In addition to delivering relief supplies, the extensive Red Cross feeding operation in partnership with the Southern Baptist Convention continues, with kitchens and fixed feeding sites spread across New York and New Jersey. With more than 300 emergency response vehicles circulating through the region, volunteers also continue to provide mobile distribution of water, food and supplies to affected neighborhoods. Visit http://newsroom.redcross.org for more information.

The Red Cross response to Sandy is massive. To date, the Red Cross has helped families and individuals in ten states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico affected by Sandy. The Red Cross has:

• Served more than 4.8 million meals and snacks
• Provided more than 70,100 overnight stays out of a total of 130,000 provided by all organizations
• Made more than 43,800 health services and emotional support contacts
• Handed out more than 477,700 relief items  

HOW TO HELP The Red Cross has been helping people since before Sandy made landfall and will continue to help for weeks to come as families get back on their feet. The response is likely to be the biggest Red Cross response in the U.S. in the past five years.

Those who want to help can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. They can also use the "donate" feature on the free Red Cross Apps for mobile devices to support this relief response. Contributions may also be sent to local Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

SOURCE American Red Cross