Hurricane Katrina evacuees have sweated their way into new homes and have discovered appliances, such as air conditioners, and furniture, such as kitchen chairs, in short supply.
"It has been sad as far as air conditioners go," said Luther Harper, who works at Sears. "All we can do is order them."
Shelters have emptied out as volunteers help evacuees return to their homes, move elsewhere close to friends or family or settle down locally.
Only one family - a mom and three children - remained at St. John's United Methodist Church Monday. Other shelters, such as the National Guard Armory and Hill View Baptist Church, have nobody staying with them.
Some shelters, such as Brazil Center in Itta Bena, opened for evacuees but ended up serving mainly as distribution centers.
Victoria Perkins, a volunteer at Brazil, said, "It was down for a shelter, but basically we have food and clothes and water. We have some people come in and out every day.
"Right now, we need furniture. We have people who have gotten a house, and they don't have furniture - any type of furniture, lamps and that kind of thing. That's basically what we need now."
Debbie Oxnam at St. John's said, "We have many, many in homes and in apartments who we are still nurturing. … There were 52 people in nine families who went to nine different apartments."
She said, "This is relocating to Greenwood. Some, we have helped go back to Metairie, helped go back to New Orleans, go back to Bay St. Louis." They were provided with food, clothing and "gasoline to go home."
Oxnam does not know the exact number of those who have received assistance. "It would guesstimate 300 to 350, but there's really no telling," she said.
In Greenwood, evacuees have found rental homes throughout town, from Cherokee and West Jeff Davis to the David Jordan and Curtis Moore apartments.
Oxnam said probably 20 apartments and houses were located, but more are needed. "We are still looking for housing for eight families right now. They are in motels or staying with relatives."
Many evacuees are looking for jobs, and some have found them, she said.
Among those with whom St. John's has worked are a school system auditor, office workers and people who have been employed in law enforcement.
"We are still accepting monetary donations. These go directly to the victims, not in the form of money, but in stoves, refrigerators and air conditioners," she said. "The things we need now are just what it takes to run a household."
