As students and teachers head back to school this week, life mayreturn to a somewhat normal routine for many local residents, butfor hundreds of Hurricane Katrina evacuees in the area their livesare still anything but normal.

Six shelters remain open, some filled to capacity, in LincolnCounty. For the evacuees and emergency workers there, the needs arestill great.

The shelters’ needs range from food and water to toiletries andbed linens. With Lincoln County and Brookhaven Public schoolsexpected to resume classes Monday, many shelters will need to fillsome volunteer spots as well.

“A lot of the volunteers are teachers and cafeteria workers, andthey’re going back to school, so we will need some help,” saidAlexine Jordan, a teacher at Mamie Martin Elementary School and avolunteer at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church’s shelter.

St. Paul, like other shelters, will need help providing threehot meals a day for those displaced by Hurricane Katrina two weeksago.

“We have volunteers providing meals, but if any one or anychurch wants to contribute something, it would be greatlyappreciated,” said Jordan.

Those wishing to help with the food needs can call Annie Smith,the kitchen committee chairperson, at (601) 833-8966.

Faith Presbyterian Church, which has 135 evacuees, also needsgroups or other churches to assist with meals. Some churches havealready volunteered to provide meals on designated days, but morehelp is needed.

“We have most of the supplies we need because the community andpeople from other states have just pulled up with trucks full ofsupplies,” said Susan Aycock, a volunteer at FaithPresbyterian.

Aycock said most of the evening meals have been planned for thenext few days, but if any churches would like to cook lunch orbreakfast for the evacuees they can call her at (610) 833-0081 or(610) 833-8373.

Breakfast is also needed next week for the 40 people staying atSt. James Missionary Baptist Church shelter.

“Next week is going to be really tight,” said shelter managerJonnie Sullivan.

Anyone wishing to provide breakfast can call St. James at (601)835-5000 ext. 25. Sullivan said breakfast can be cooked in thechurch’s kitchen or brought to the church before 8:30 a.m.

For those who lack culinary skills, there are other areas ofneed at local shelters.

“We mostly need volunteers. That’s our greatest need,” said KayWhite, a volunteer at Easthaven Baptist Church, which has 150evacuees.

Volunteers are needed to answer phones, man the front desk, washclothes, serve food or even just read a book to the children, Whitesaid.

Macedonia Baptist Church’s shelter needs financial donations toassist with utility bills associated with housing approximately 40evacuees. Volunteers may also be needed this week to provide lunchand breakfast. Anyone wishing to help can call (601) 833-7344.

Volunteers, shelter managers and evacuees throughout LincolnCounty have all expressed their appreciation to the community forthe donations and other efforts made during the last two weeks.

“People here have been putting aside their needs and openingtheir arms to others,” said Jordan.

Rosie Oates, a nurse and volunteer at Faith PresbyterianChurch’s shelter, said the outstanding generosity from thecommunity has been heart-warming.

American Red Cross volunteers, who have come to Mississippi fromthroughout the United States, have also been impressed by localresidents and churches.

“There’s been a tremendous outpouring from this congregation.Not only have they helped the evacuees, but they have also embracedus (Red Cross staff) as family,” said Audrey Underwood, Red Crossshelter manager at First Baptist Church.

She praised the volunteers for meeting the wide array of needsof the 120 evacuees at the shelter as well as the displaced stayingat homes in the area.

Besides individuals volunteering at the shelters, doctors andnurses have also offered their assistance.

The community and the American Red Cross are working hard tomake sure every need is met, said Underwood.

Mahundis Brice and April Cason are even offering free haircutsfor evacuees at Antecho Salon on East Cherokee Street.

The Red Cross also has mental health professionals on hand toassist evacuees with the stress related to the tragedies ofHurricane Katrina.