With more than 1,600 residents in five area county shelters,American Red Cross officials are continuing day-to-day activitieswhile also trying to reach out to others impacted by HurricaneKatrina.

D.K. Smith, of Winston-Salem, N.C., who is in charge of massmobile feeding efforts, said six Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs)are operating in the area. More have been requested.

“We’re trying to cover five counties and parts of another,”Smith said during a chapter meeting with local officials Tuesdayafternoon. “We’re stretched pretty thin.”

Smith said three ERVs have been in Pike County, where damage wasmore severe. ERVs are also operating in Lincoln County.

“We’re starting to get out and cover more area,” Smith said.

Drive-through services for ice, water and meals are beinghandled at the Brookhaven Exchange Club Park from 10 a.m. until 5p.m. daily and at the United Church of Christ near Alexander JuniorHigh School from noon until 5 p.m.

“We can service a lot of people in a short period of time,”Smith said.

Smith said the Red Cross has also been concentrating efforts onthe Bogue Chitto area in southern Lincoln County.

“We thought that was the hardest-hit of the areas,” Smith said.”That’s where we’re trying to put more of our resources.”

Tim Connolly, a relief coordinator for Red Cross, said nearlyall of those staying shelters are from affected areas on the coastor in Louisiana. He said local residents impacted by the storm arestaying with extended family members.

Connolly said a warehouse distribution point has been set up tohandle daily needs at the shelters. Also, officials are working tofacilitate residents’ medical needs.

“Each day is a new day,” Connolly said. “Each day brings in morenational staff.”

Connolly and Smith indicated that long-range plans for shelterresidents are not the focus now. Smith said evacuees are takingtheir situation on a day-by-day, week-by-week basis and the RedCross is helping in that regard.

“I’m fairly certain the whole focus is to get them stabilizedand in a safe environment,” he said.

Layla Edwards, the area chapter’s executive director, saidresidents are inputting their information into a national databaseto assist in reuniting families.

“Once they can get that information, a lot of them are going tostay with family members,” Edwards said.

Connolly said churches which are serving as shelters arepreparing for longer than usual stays. He said some are reluctantto see residents relocated to other shelters.

“They see these people as their own …,” Connolly said. “Theydon’t see it as a burden. They see it as an outreach of theirministry.”

Kim Carr, local chapter disaster chairwoman, said slightly morethan 1,600 residents are staying at shelters in Lincoln, Pike,Lawrence, Franklin and Amite counties. In addition to daily needs,she mentioned a wide variety of medical issues being addressed atthe shelters.

“It’s been a challenge, but we’ve made it through,” Carrsaid.

For the future, Connolly said Red Cross officials are preparingcontingencies should more shelter space be needed.

Officials said the effort is in good shape with food and someother supplies, but shelters are in need on sheets, diapers andbaby formula. School supplies could also be useful for students whowill be starting back next week.

Clothes are not needed, officials stressed. They cited limitedmanpower available to sort and distribute the items.

Smith encouraged monetary donations to the local chapter.

“We’re right now beginning to take care of the basic things,”Smith said.