NATCHEZ &045; Rotary International has long been noted for its commitment to long-term service project all over the world, from helping wipe out polio to bringing running water to developing areas.

Now a Washington, Mo., Rotary Club has turned its attention to helping in the wake of another crisis &045; Hurricane Katrina.

On Monday, Rotarians Bill Schuck and Brad Crider drove two truckloads of food, water and clothing to the Salvation Army for distribution to evacuee shelters throughout Natchez.

Half was to be left at the Natchez location; then the pair were set, later Monday, to truck the rest to Alexandria, La., for use there.

Why come all that way to help strangers?

&uot;Rotary set up a fund for (Katrina victims) the long term, but we realized the immediate need for food and water and decided to do something about it,&uot; Schuck said.

The pair had originally planned to truck the supplies all the way to Metairie, La., closer to the center of the devastation. But when the church leader they were working with there was evacuated himself, they had to change their plans.

Schuck already knew Forest Persons of Natchez, since the two served as governors of their Rotary districts at the same time a few years ago. As a result, Schuck and Crider coordinated their trip with Persons’ help, said Natchez Rotary Club President Nancy Hungerford.

The 1.2 million members in 32,000 Rotary clubs throughout the world all follow the same motto, &uot;Service Above Self.&uot;

&uot;So this is probably being done by Rotary clubs all over,&uot; Hungerford said. &uot;We’re thrilled to be (some of) the recipients.&uot;