Americans struggling in a soft economy have not responded with an outpouring of giving as they did three years ago when Katrina left indelible images of devastation and suffering. Gustav spared New Orleans the death and destruction that forecasters predicted but also dampened donations to the Red Cross, which mounted one of its largest mobilizations in years.The Red Cross anticipates spending $70 million for Gustav-related relief efforts but has only raised $5 million so far.
With several months to go in the current hurricane season and with at least two more storms poised to strike the U.S., the Red Cross needs all the help that it can get.
