Debit Card Distribution Ends At Midnight

EL PASO, TX — The program that distributes debit cards to evacuated Hurricane Katrina victims ends Saturday at midnight, officials with the El Paso Chapter of the American Red Cross said.

“It’s a blessing. We have the debit cards. All we have to do now is go and activate them, take them and buy what we need,” said David Carrier, who was evacuated from his home in Louisiana.

In El Paso, the Red Cross is issuing cards worth between $360 and $1800, depending on the size of the household.

More than 125 people have been given cards at the Judson F. Williams Convention Center and about 150 more are expected to receive them Saturday.

Those evacuees not receiving debit cards will be able to get financial assistanceeither through direct deposit or a check will be sent to them at the address theygave to the Red Cross.

So far, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has paid out $669 million nationwide to families affected by the disaster.