WASHINGTON, Monday, September 28, 2009 — The rains are over, but the clean-up has only just begun as hundreds of American Red Cross staff and volunteers continue to help those affected by the devastating flooding which inundated the area last week.

For nearly 200 people, home is still a Red Cross shelter. Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) are in flood-ravaged neighborhoods providing meals, snacks, and clean-up supplies.  Red Cross disaster assessment teams are surveying homes for damage, and caseworkers are working directly with individuals and families, providing assistance for food, clothing, shelter and health-related concerns, as well as directing people to other recovery resources.

In about two weeks time, the Red Cross has served more than 12,700 meals and 11,400 snacks, and provided more than 28,300 items such as bleach, comfort kits, bottled water and clean-up kits.

The Red Cross pre-positions supplies and disaster equipment around the country to be able to rush relief services into affected areas when disaster strikes.  Since 1997, members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) have pledged donations in advance of major disasters to ensure the Red Cross has the ability to respond immediately when needed.  This year, members have provided more than $20 million in funding for the Disaster Relief Fund.

ADGP members include Altria Group, Inc., American Express, AXA Foundation, ConAgra Foods, FedEx Corporation, GE Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, John Deere Foundation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Merck & Co., Inc., Morgan Stanley, Nationwide Insurance Foundation, Raytheon, Ryder Charitable Foundation, State Farm, State Street Foundation, Target, The TJX Companies, Inc., UnitedHealthcare, and UPS.

“Thanks to the generosity of our Annual Disaster Giving Program members, we are able to mobilize human and material resources at a moments notice to provide lifesaving services,” said Jeffrey Towers, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. “These funds, coupled with the support of the American public, are critical during floods and enable the Red Cross to rush immediate relief to disaster victims before the first donation has been given.”

You can help people affected by disasters like the current floods by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.  Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington,