The Talk Show American

THE TALK SHOW AMERICAN: Mall Workers Question Evacuee Debit Card Purchases

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Mall Workers Question Evacuee Debit Card Purchases

Retail Employees Say Storm Victims Buying Expensive Gifts With Donated Money

Although thousands of evacuees are still in need of financial help, questions are being raised about how some of them are spending money on debit cards they received from the American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency, KPRC Local 2 reported Tuesday.

Some employees at the Galleria said they saw storm victims using the debit cards to buy expensive gifts, like $250 bracelet, instead of on food or housing.

"I was upset because I donated money like a lot of people, and I think it should have just strictly been used for food and clothing and necessities � not luxury items that, I mean, I can't even afford," a Galleria employee, who asked to not be identified, told KPRC Local 2.

The Red Cross said it is aware of the problem but admitted that it cannot control where the money is spent.

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