Catholic Charities, Diocese of Toledo's disaster response office, has provided aid to area residents affected by flooding.

Catholic Charities disaster office partners with local disaster response teams to assist in recovery following a disaster.

Begun in 2005 following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the disaster office found housing for and assisted families in resettlement in Toledo after Katrina as well as continuing support for the Houma-Thibodaux area of Louisiana in its recovery over the last two years.

Following the August 2007 floods, Catholic Charities disaster office has staff serving on five long-term recovery committees (LTRCs) -- in Mansfield, Findlay and Putnam, Shelby, Hardin, Wyandot and Seneca counties. After the February floods, Defiance was added to the list of communities assisted by Catholic Charities.

Several thousand dollars have been distributed to assist in the August floods. Funds have supported a hotline, seed money for LTRCs to begin serving people in need and for individual families directed from the case managers in each areas.

Volunteers have also been identified in cleanup and rebuilding efforts. Funds were received from donations and a grant from Catholic Charities USA.

In Defiance, Sister Christine Pratt, director for disaster response, contacted Penny Mathews of the local Red Cross chapter after the February flood. After learning about the needs in Defiance, Catholic Charities received an additional grant from Catholic Charities USA to assist in recovery here.

To date, $1,600 has been spent on temporary housing for persons displaced by the flood and to assist families in recovery of essential household needs.

Catholic Charities works with local organizations in assisting those in need. When federal and state agencies have completed their role, Catholic Charities stays to work with and assist local groups, such as the American Red Cross.