Many local groups and organizations have initiated relief efforts to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. Among them are:

Many local groups and organizations have initiated relief efforts to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. Among them are:
Personal care kits for the victims of Hurricane Katrina are being collected from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to noon Thursday at the Shenango Valley Mall in Hermitage, Pa. People are urged to bring prepackaged kits with all new items. FEMA guidelines for kits state that all kits should be placed in one-gallon zip plastic bags, and all items must be new. Individual items will also be accepted. Infant care kits should include toiletries: lotion/powder/baby bath; shampoo; Vaseline or diaper rash ointment; wash cloth, towel; travel size baby wipes; socks; gown/kimono; pacifier; baby spoon and spill proof cup. Adult kits should include: towel/wash cloth; toothbrush/toothpaste; shampoo/conditioner; bar soap; comb; solid deodorant; six adhesive bandages; personal pack of tissue; new socks. For women, include feminine products and for men two disposable razors and a can of shaving cream. Several organizations, businesses and government agencies are sponsoring the collection.
A tractor-trailer to be filled with donated items for Hurricane Katrina relief will be stationed in the Big Lots parking lot in Champion from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Items that are needed include new blankets, bottled water, shampoo, bar soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, diapers, first aid supplies and cleaning supplies (bleach, disinfectant, scrub brushes). Also accepted will be bedding packs, which should include two flat double-bed sheets, two pillowcases and two pillows.
Carrington South and Union Baptist Church in Youngstown are now designated collection sites for Hurricane Katrina victims. They are accepting nonperishable foods, paper products, clothing (in good repair), toys, baby essentials and cash donations. Drop off all donations to Carrington South, 850 E. Midlothian Boulevard, between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., or Union Baptist Church, 528 Lincoln St., from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. First departure of goods heading South will be Friday.
Alterra Sterling House of Youngstown, 2300 Canfield Road, will have a benefit spaghetti dinner from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Adult tickets are $6, and all proceeds will go to the Salvation Army for Katrina relief efforts.
John Knox Presbyterian Church, 1806 Market St., Youngstown, is collecting items for school kits for children affected by Hurricane Katrina. Items being collected are blunt scissors, 81/2- by 11-inch pads or notebooks, 12-inch rulers, pencil sharpeners, colored construction paper and 24-count crayon boxes. Donations are due by Sept. 21. For information call the church office at (330) 744-4273 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Youngstown has raised more than $60,000 for immediate and long-term recovery for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The funds will be forwarded to Catholic Charities USA, the official U.S. Catholic Bishops domestic disaster coordinating office. The Youngstown diocese is participating with the National Catholic Charities USA "Home Away from Home" project and working with other agencies to meet relocation needs of people displaced by the natural disaster. If you have an apartment, house or other facility to house people, contact Catholic Charities at (330) 744-8451 Ext. 327 or e-mail Rick Walker at rwalker@youngstowndiocese.org.
North Lima Mennonite Church will have a breakfast buffet fund-raiser from 7 to 11 a.m. Sept. 24 at the church, 90 Mennonite Drive. Anyone wishing to make a cash donation through the church can make a check out to North Lima Mennonite Church and designate it for Katrina relief. Proceeds will be forwarded to Mennonite Disaster Services for Katrina relief efforts.