Picayune, Mississippi, February 7, 2008 Humanitarian agency World Vision sent relief supplies from their Mississippi Storehouse today to assist victims of this week's devastating tornadoes in the South.

"We are responding to the immediate needs of approximately 100 families in the Tupelo, Mississippi area," said Audrey Black, manager of the World Vision Storehouse in Picayune.

Partnering with the American Red Cross, World Vision is providing sleeping bags, bedding, hygiene products, personal care items and food for affected families.

World Vision continues to monitor and assess emerging needs throughout the impacted region. Relief supplies are scheduled to arrive in Tupelo at 8 a.m. tomorrow and Black says distributions to other states may be in line as well.

Long-term needs of the disaster victims are also being considered. "If warranted, we can provide additional materials to assist in the rebuilding process," Black said. "We have doors, windows, paint, paintbrushes, sinks, tubs, wallpaper, etc."

World Vision's Storehouse in Picayune—a 43,000 square foot warehouse—provides essential goods to community organizations and churches serving Gulf Coast children and families.

World Vision operates 11 Storehouses in the United States and distributes only new, high quality school supplies, clothing, personal hygiene items and building supplies. Manufacturers, distributors and retailers have donated $32 million in surplus merchandise to World Vision Storehouses. Last year, the Storehouse served more than 1.5 million people through more than 3,000 partnerships.

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World Vision staff are available for interviews. Please contact Casey Calamusa at 206.310.5476 or ccalamus@worldvision.org.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.