The Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene is collecting water, non-perishable food items and money as part of a coordinated local effort called Operation Reach Out.

The local church is one of many churches, schools and civic groups collecting essential items to be shipped down to areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. Hygiene products and “Crisis Care Kits” that the church is making will be shipped down at a later date.

Operation Reach Out, organized by Maine Bank and Trust, Bisson Moving and Storage and Positive 89.3 (WMSJ), will ship all collected items to staging areas along the Gulf Coast.

Nazarene Disaster Response is working in partnership with the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide housing, food and basic needs for hurricane survivors. Cash donations are being distributed through the Red Cross.

The Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene will deliver all collected items to the Maine Bank and Trust in Mill Creek for transportation down by Bisson Moving. Two Lights General Store is also acting as a local drop-off spot for food, water and cash donations.

Anyone is invited to participate in the effort, by collecting supplies and bringing them to any Maine Bank and Trust location.