Hurricane Relief Suggestions from Project Inkslinger

Posted in National Mensa on September 3, 2005

Michael Paul Beetham, Project Inkslinger Coordinator, sent the following suggestions for helping with relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina. American Mensa’s Project Inkslinger was founded in 1993, when the Mississippi and its tributaries flooded parts of the Midwest and South, and Mensans across the country worked to donate books to affected libraries and schools.

From Project Inkslinger Coordinator Michael Paul Beetham:

“Many Mensans would like to donate reading materials to the folks who are displaced due to Hurricane Katrina. I have chatted with reps of a couple of relief agencies, book-donation businesses, and regional libraries.

“I have been told that the relief agencies stress the need for cash at this time. They are able to gather and distribute reading material as the local situations stabilize. If any Mensans or Local Groups in the affected areas would like to collect and distribute reading materials to shelters in their immediate area, please check with local police and relief agencies first. It is important not to get in the way (I was told that most firmly, but politely.) If any Local Groups outside of the affected areas would like to donate reading material, please consider donating to a book-donating business that has a collecting-sorting-distribution system in place. This directory of book donation programs has an extensive list of entities to choose from, plus links to their websites. Cash would be best; there is no national shortage of books, but a need for cash to pay for the distribution process.

“The recovery situation is dynamic, and changing daily. In time we will have more opportunities to donate directly. The main need at present is for life-sustaining items, and thus the call for cash.

“If you know of any Mensans or Local Groups aready involved in donating reading material to local shelters, please let us know. We will assist if and as appropriate. If you know any specific entity that could use reading material right now or in the near future, please let us know.

“Project Inkslinger activity normally occurs after a library, for example, is rebuilt. As such we will be involved for some time. We are ramping up a communication process that will provide more information on book-donation businesses and their procedures. The website shown above is the first step. I hope it is of some value to you.

"If you have any questions or information to share, please contact me at inkslinger@us.mensa.org."