Toll Free No-Help Line

Our coffee and mac nut business line is one digit away from the US Housing and Urban Development's phone number.

Now normally, we get a call or two a week from someone who's transposed numbers. But right now we are inundated, and it's terribly sad. Why are they calling? Because they are homeless from Katrina and are on the verge of getting evicted by FEMA. So they are seeking vouchers from HUD that will allow them to apply for public housing. Note, they can apply, no guarantee they will receive.

Every single person I have talked to is unfailingly polite. And every single person I've talked to is a woman. Some have small children. Some are elderly. Most have almost nothing to their name. Katrina took everything.

For those of us outside of the storm's path, we have largely forgotten. News reports, if any, mention rebuilding in New Orleans, Mardi Gras plans and maybe some residual fingerpointing by politicians. But for the people still living it, the tragedy rolls on. Give a silent thought to them, and let's all remember to be thankful for what we have.