Source: Nashville Channel 4 News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.wsmv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3801703

On September 2, 2005 the Associated Press reported, "Pastors of black churches and other leaders, unhappy with government relief efforts, are turning to their congregations and others to provide help for victims of Hurricane Katrina. 'We were disturbed the president moved too slowly, that FEMA looked too disorganized,' Michael Grant of the Nashville NAACP said at a news conference at Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church... A group of 30 pastors of black churches met at the church on Friday to plan ways to assist storm victims. They said their meeting was just one of many being held nationwide by black religious leaders and others to raise money and supplies for storm victims... The Rev. George T. Brooks Sr. of Saint James Baptist Church said a tractor-trailer of emergency supplies is being sent Monday to Lake Charles, La. to a National Baptist Convention of America Inc. aid distribution center. In addition, pastors are donating a portion of their salaries to pay colleagues in the storm areas whose congregations cannot meet for services, he said."