Two days after the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005, HUG began helping survivors by collecting and distributing donations of clothing, shoes, toys, furniture, and other needed essentials. So far, we have provided for more than 150 families staying locally in the Dallas area from both Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, and have set up a free store onsite at HUG. Jewish Community Services, Network of Community Ministries, and local churches send us families who are in need of assistance. We provided two truckloads of supplies to the survivors of both Hurricane Katrina and Rita in Louisiana. Donations were received from all over the United States. We are on FEMA's list of organizations approved to work with survivors of these natural disasters. Our assistance will continue as long as need is still there. We anticipate it may be several years, since so many survivors are just beginning to move into apartments, and, having nothing left, need to rebuild their lives, including furniture and household items for their homes. Local need is always a priority for HUG, providing the same types of aid for battered women and their children, people whose lives have been devastated by a disaster or financial need.