I'd agree it's best to find some way to directly contribute. I plan on
taking a bunch of old clothing etc. to the Astrodome today. Here is one
local foundation in New Orleans that I donated to:
http://www.braf.org/page25271.cfm
Here are some others:
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/USNSAHome.htm
http://www.redcross.org/