The debit card handout @ Astrodome is RED CROSS$$$, NOT FEMA!

[elehhhhna]

September 08, 2005
Red Cross debit cards
Faced with a wait of a week or more for debit cards from FEMA, Houston's evacuees are jumping at the chance for debit cards handed out by the Red Cross.

A mile-long line was snaking into Reliant Center this morning, and the Red Cross hasn't even made an announcement about its plans yet. Most of those in line said they received appointment times last night.

For now, the Red Cross is only confirming that the debit cards are different than the ones to be provided by the federal government, but the Red Cross cards are already popping up in Reliant Park.

Those registered at the city's four megashelters -- the Astrodome, the Reliant Center, Reliant Arena and the George R. Brown Convention Center -- are reportedly eligible to receive the card, which will carry balances of up to a couple thousand dollars, depending on a family's size and the children's age.

http://blogs.chron.com/domeblog/