Canadians wishing to make donations to assist in the relief efforts in communites hit by Hurricane Katrina can contact the American Red Cross.

The agency has set up a telephone hotline in order to receive donations. The number is 1-800-HELP-NOW or 1-800-435-7669.

Donations can also be made online at americanredcross.org.

The Canadian Red Cross is sending a highly trained disaster response team to the U.S. to assist. However, they will not be recruiting new people for this team but will instead rely on its existing pool of experienced volunteers.

The Canadian Red Cross will also accept funds designated for Hurricane Katrina.

National Director of Disaster Services, Don Shropshire, says funds contributed to his organization's 2005 Hurricane Relief Fund will go "to assist the most vulnerable victims of hurricanes this season."

The number is 1-800-418-1111 or you can Donate Now online.

However, the agency urges Canadians wishing to help NOT to send food, clothing or other items. While well intentioned, there are tremendous processing and transportation costs involved in shipping these items to the affected areas.

The agency also says local purchases of food and clothing are more culturally appropriate and effective.

Other organizations soliciting donations as listed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, include:

Adventist Community Services: 1-800-381-7171

AmeriCares: 1-800-486-HELP (4357)

B'nai B'rith International: 202-857-6533

Brother's Brother Foundation: 412-321-3160

Catholic Charities: 1-703-549-1390

Christian Children's Fund: 1-800-776-6767

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee: 1-800-848-5818

Church World Service: 1-800-297-1516

Convoy of Hope: 1-417-823-8998

Lutheran Disaster Response: 1-800-638-3522

Mennonite Disaster Service: 1-717-859-2210

Nazarene Disaster Response: 1-888-256-5886

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: 1-800-872-3283

Salvation Army: 1-800- SAL-ARMY or 1-800-725-2769

Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief: 1-800-462-8657, ext. 6133

United Methodist Committee on Relief: 1-800-554-8583