Thank you to the volunteers. Hang in there for the folks that appreciate you. And keep being vocal about those who misuse your efforts.

I agreewith Mr Rhodus, asvolunteer and an individual who has help with rekeif efforts following Ivan here in Florida. It is very hard to feel an ptiy for the individuals who are lazy and expect everything given to them and greedy. This kind of action by just a few makes one that givesof there time and resources seconf thoughts.

Okay - somehow I knew these types of people were around, but I didn't want to hear about it. I have lived below the poverty level for the past two years, and I still wouldn't even think about taking more than what I absolutely needed at a time like this. To exploit a disaster to fill your own coffers is just wrong - maybe not in an legal or civil sense, but it should be morally wrong to everyone, and not just a few! *sigh* I'm getting off my soap box now....

Just a question, do these "greedy, lazy" people happen to be African-American? I suppose that the European-American's take only what they need? I doubt it, people in these situations after the storm need to be assisted, not ridiculed. How do you know that the woman does not have 5 kids and 5 other family members kids to take care of back at her now condemed home?

I knew this would happen, but I also believe that this is not the majority. God Bless you all who are helping those in need and giving grace to those who will be held to account by their Maker! Hang in there, God is working through you whether you feel like it or not!

Perhaps the women who "came back three days in a row" was getting supplies for others. Did the volunteers ask her how many she was caring for? Did the church or shelter volunteers really need the National Guard security? What were people going to do, steal the peanut butter?

Kari mentions the frustation felt by those trying to help when they encounter those few who are taking advantage of the generosity of so many others...those who are not flood victims. Whether they are ""greedy, lazy"" (as one man was quoted) or simply dirt poor is the challenge facing all of us as we try to help those really effected by the hurricane. If someone was greedy, lazy or even worse a criminal before Katrina, then NO Federal, State, local or private program will change them into a responsible, contributing member of society. Those living below the poverty line, however, can be helped by these agencies IF the reconstruction phase restores or creates sustained business development (and thus job opportunities). The challenge is delineating the two types to focus reconstruction efforts on the latter.

I happen to agree with you that people tend to be "greedy". I do not mind helping anyone at anytime, but I certainly do not like to be used at any time. It does make you weary! And most definitely leary! But then we must think of "What Would Jesus Have me to do?" I believe that He will take care of any misuse of anything.

The volunteers are doing a magnificent job! Their heroes in my book. Verification of needs has to be accomplished or the hardworking volunteers will be overwhelmed and the supplies wasted and depleted. Black or white matters not. If someone is abusing the goodwill of the shelters then they need to be cutoff. And the next time this lady stops by to load up on supplies, the shelter people have to demand verification of her need(s). She needs to provide a valid SSN, her destination and who the supplies are for. We all want the survivors to get the relief they deserve. But a thief is a thief no matter what color, status or gender they are.

Why is it that the only ones that mention race in times like these (from the above comment) are the ones that are truly racist themselves? I heard no mention of the "greedy,lazy" people being black, white, yellow, or green in the article above - so why make that an issue? Can't we just concentrate on helping fellow Americans and not bring other problems to light in a tragedy like this?

Why are we so surprized by HUMAN NATURE? We are flawed! Always have been, always will be regardless of race or ethnic background! Just remember: when we make a decision to help others, that's exactly what we should do, Help, not Judge!

its foolish to look back, but its the way to learn. i've wondered , why in the hell with all the brillient minds, why didn't we send the poor people to out many many, closed millitary bases,that have all the necessaries. talk about the stupid guess where in washington it is.

VinnyCee from Michigan should read the article more thoroughly. The man who was quoted was from that area and would know who was affected by the storm and who was not. Those who are trying to turn this disaster into a racist situation or response obviously are not down here and cannot see what is going on. By the way, the media does not help at all with it continuing talk of race. Americans, both good and bad, are just that, AMERICANS. In that man's place, I would very calmly ask everyone who wants more than they themselves can use, if they are caring for others and if not, what is the need for all the supplies they are getting when others who are caring for themselves and family and friends are doing without.

There always have been and always will be "greedy and lazy" folks who take advantage of situations for their personal profit. Mr. Rhodus and the other workers are tired and have earned the right to voice their concerns. We can attempt to make this a race issue but I think the evidence we've seen in the media (which would surely look for any explosive story) does not give that theory much support. We live in a dangerous world and those people willing to open their doors and take in anyone are going to get the good, the bad and the ugly. It is our duty to applaud them for their efforts and help the helpers.

To Vinny Cee; who mentioned anything about race breakdowns here? Let's see, believe it was you. As far as I could tell, this was about people who take advantage of a humanitarian situation for their own personal gain, regardless of their ethnicity. If you deny there are people like this, you must have blinders on.

To VinnyCee from Michigan: What an insult to a man volunteering his time and money to help the unfortunate! I guess he has no right to an opinion, even though he is the one in this BLOG closest to the situation. You ask a question and then you assume you know the answer. Pretty good trick from someone way up in Michigan----nowhere near this disaster. Is it because this the South and everyone must be prejudiced? Don't answer, because I, similar to you, can devine the answer without the benefit of even knowing you. Don't get me wrong, we have a long way to go to achieve the perfection that is Michigan, but if you watched the looting and other lawlessness going on in front of the cameras, you'll know that we're getting there. Oh, by the way, why don't you come on down and volunteer to help. I have.

Let's take this dependency on the government and others to a whole other level. I've heard numerous stories, in fact churches coming on TV to
ask for volunteers, where trucks were sitting at shelters waiting to be unloaded. There are only about 300- 500 able bodied men in each of these shelters. Maybe many more than that. Still they are too lazy and dependent on others to provide them even this the simplest of services. A friend of mine's brother-in-law is a pastor at a local church. Evacuees
actually interupted his bible study class when a FEMA truck arrived. Needless to say he became quite put out and told them to unload it themselves. They still refused, because they are destitute and depressed and
need someone else to take care of them I guess. To which he responded they could unload it themselves or he could send it away. It still took them 30 minutes to get the 30 teenagers and men in his shelter to
motivate themselves to unload the truck. Incredible! The failure wasn't as much with the response to the aftermath of the hurricane as it was with peoples dependence on others to take care of them. They didn't get out, because they had nothing to lose and loot to gain in many cases. They didn't get out because the system failed them. In fact, they failed themselves, and continue to. Even today many sit
in shelters waiting for a FEMA or Red Cross debit card, with no real plan to use it to get out of the shelters. Why is this, because they know if they use up the debit card wastefully, they'll still get handouts from charities, government, and kind individuals. They know the government will put them up in a mobile home as soon as those arrangements are
complete. They know the government will give them food stamps or charities will feed them. They know that if they do nothing, they will still be taken care of. I've heard (and this is only rumor of course) that FEMA cards in Houston were stopped because refugees were spending them on things like Louis Viton (sp?) purses and things of that nature. Go figure. The govern ment gives you $2000 to get back on your feet and find an apartment, and you go buy an expensive purse that you have no money
to put in. Why? Because eventually the government will give you more money to put in it, or maybe it's large enough to be useful for shoplifting. Who knows. At any rate, the problem should become eveident to the country. We've created an entire class of people who can't and won't take the initiative to survive on their own. Unfortunately, I'm certain the answer will be to give them more handouts instead of trying to teach them to be self sufficient.

C'mon "church people"! Stop stressing and let God be the judge. You, I assume, are intelligent enough to know when someone is taking a carload of clothing and selling it for profit 4 blocks away. If it's not that obvious then let them take as much as they want! Maybe if the "church people" and EVERYBODY ELSE was more concerned about poverty before the storm, these people wouldn't seem to be such opportunists. Yes, there are racial issues! But that doesn't mean everyone that opens their mouth is a racist, anymore than it means everyone who is in need is a particular race. This is a golden opportunity to KILL racism! Acknowledge the situation for what it is - there are more poor African Americans than European Americans. Now, seeing as no one has a CHOICE anymore, do the right thing!

I find it disgusting that people want to put a racial face to this at every level! The man in the article didn't mention the race of the woman who filled her car 3 times because it didn't matter to him - if it had, he surely would have specified. I don't want to minimize the discrimination that anyone may have faced in this country - ANYONE! But you can rest assured that the donations of time and money that thousands of Americans of all races, genders and religions are making right now are coming from people who don't give a damn what race the victims are! I was fortunate enough to be raised by a mother who would not tolerate discrimination of any kind - against races, religions, disabilities or anything else. I'm tired of people assuming that I am biased based on my racial background.

It's time for everyone to just be an American because we are all in this together. Stop trying to further your own agendas, roll up your sleeves and do something useful for a change - HELP THESE PEOPLE OUT!!!

No matter the issue or program, there is always going to be some level of abuse or fraud. As Americans, we unfortunately have gotten away from accepting that there is a small financial cost - due to abuse, waste, or whatever - associated with assisting those in need and hopefully helping people get ahead. I certainly feel more comfortable hearing that potentially some are taking advantage of those helping others down in Louisiana and/or Mississippi than hearing about the $5 Billion unaccounted for between Halliburton and our Federal government over in Iraq.

I FEEL SORRY FOR THE VOLUNTEERS, TRYING TO STRETCH THE SUPPLIES AND STILL ACCOMODATE EVERYONE. YOU WANT TO TRUST THAT EVERYONE HAS A NEED FOR WHAT THEY ARE TAKING, BUT THE REALITY IS, PEOPLE TEND TO PANIC WHEN THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE MIGHT HOLD, WHERE THEIR SUPPLY LINE MIGHT GO, SO THEY TEND TO HOARD. I'VE SEEN IT MANY TIMES WHEN BLIZZARD CONDITIONS THREATEN IN THE MIDWEST, AND THOSE PEOPLE DO NOT GO THROUGH ANYTHING LIKE THE HURRICANE VICTOMS HAVE. THE SOLUTION? BEATS ME!!!

Asking the woman who came back three days in a row how many folks she's caring for would have been a good thing to do. However, I have to believe that volunteers such as these, spending their days and nights to only help others, probably already thought of that. What I took away from the story is that they have a pretty good filtering system to weed out those who are taking care of multiple family and friends, vs. the scum of the earth.

As far as not having security goes, in a situation so low and depressing, the human spirit can shine and cleanse so many painful issues. In contrast, human nature can do some pretty extraordinarily awful things. I'd say the fear would not be the threat of peanut butter theft, but rather, the fear of rape of women and children (as happened at the superdome) and theft of the belongings of many people actually in need (as is happening in some other US shelters to varying degrees). Some form of "organized security" needs to be in place in any situation as this...if not just for the logistics.

To VinnyCee, Detroit

Who said she was black?

No one mentioned race but you.

These evacuees are being assisted. Assisted to the tune of three car loads of goods as noted in this case! Not only are people being assisted in Mississippi, but elsewhere throughout the US. You sound like you're itching for a fight, you should be helping, not pointing fingers and wrongly accusing people who are out there helping. Let's see, you're from Michigan......How have you helped? Are you down there in Mississippi helping? Alabama? Louisiana? Texas?

I'm sure any of these states would appreicate your help!

There have always been, and always will be, those who will take advantage of a situation. Look at the looters in N.O. stealing stuff they couldn't possibly need at that point in time. Not seeking survival, but personal gain. We all have those people around us, they are to be pitied because they have no plan in life except to TAKE FROM OTHERS. Most of these will eventually end up in court and then jail, then someone can worry about THEM being treated right. I pray for those who need help and bless those there to help them. I fear for the future of the TAKERS.

I think that it is sad that it takes a disaster of this magnitude to make most American realize that there are lots of needy folks right here at home - disaster victims or just victims of circumstances. They are all in need. Why are we not more generous the rest of the time? Why hasn't President Bush offered urban renewal at this level at other times during his time in office? He was shamed into this action by the response of the American citizens and the citizens of the world. Let's hope this works and contiues to help not just those in the Gulf States, but all over America where there are people who need help to pull themselves up! Thank you to all the volunteers who put the poor and the needy above themselves.