IMPORTANT CONTACTS FOR EVACUEES

The American Red Cross released the following list of contacts and needs to help Hurricane Katrina victiims in the Pine Bluff area:

General information: American Red Cross, Jefferson County Chapter, 534-7312.

Cash Donations Needed: American Red Cross, Jefferson County Chapter; Salvation Army; Neighbor to Neighbor.

Clothing Donations: Neighbor to Neighbor, Salvation Army, Pine Bluff Fire Department.

Food Donations: Lisa Jackson (Royal Arkansas Hotel & Suites) regarding large donations; Neighbor to Neighbor for smaller items.

Social Security: Social Security Office, Lisa Capucine-Gillard at the Federal Building, Eighth Avenue and Main Street, they are prepared to issue paper checks to evacuees who have proper identification.

Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services: Lee Turner, food assistance program.

Unemployment benefits: Pine Bluff Department of Workforce Services, 1001 Tennessee St., William Campbell (office manager) 534-1920. The office will assist with unemployment benefits and job assistance.

Lodging: Sherry Storey (Pine Bluff Convention Center and Visitor's Bureau) 536-7600, will assist in locating hotel rooms.

Child Care: Irene Holcomb, 535-0635.

Medical: Jefferson Regional Medical Center, daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. JRMC is offering medical services at the Pine Bluff Convention Center (contact JRMC's Marketing Department at 541-7635 for more information). Medical care can also be received at Quick Care, Health Care Plus, Jefferson Comprehensive Care Unit, Jefferson County Health Department.

FEMA: Call 1-800-621-3362 to file a FEMA claim (contact as soon as possible regarding potential claims). For information contact R.J. Lightsey of U.S. Rep. Mike Ross' office at 536-3376.

Security: Pine Bluff Police Department has placed two officers at the Pine Bluff Convention Center and has assigned extra patrol on Convention Center and hotel parking lots. For assistance from the Police Department, call 543-5107 or 543-5100; for emergencies dial 911.

Pine Bluff Housing Authority (HUD): HUD will issue Section 8 housing assistance vouchers, contact Jeannie Epperson at (870) 836-2074.

Legal questions and assistance: Arkansas Bar Association, contact Attorney Tony Hilliard at 535-9000 or 718-3696.