NATCHEZ &045; &uot;They are us.&uot;

That was United Way Director Kathy Stephens’ simple assessment of the Katrina refugees now staying in shelters, hotels, churches and private homes across the Miss-Lou.

And now &045; for how long, no one really knows &045; those refugees are Natchez residents.

Stephens talked to Natchez aldermen Wednesday evening about the growing need for food and supplies for the shelters now serving about 1,200 refugees.

Almost 21,000 MREs &045; meals ready to eat &045; are on the way to help feed the evacuees, along with other supplies.

&uot;We’re OK for the next 10 days,&uot; Stephens said.

But most evacuees will be here much longer than that. So United Way, which is working in concert with the Red Cross, Salvation Army and other agencies, is organizing an effort to get more food and supplies to the community.

&uot;It’s going to take all the effort we can muster to keep everyone fed,&uot; Stephens said.

And Natchez could see even more evacuees.

Because Natchez is one of the few places below Jackson with food, power and water, more and more evacuees are finding their way here. And as some people try to return to Louisiana or the coast and are turned back, they may wind up here, Stephens said.

&uot;Bless their hearts, they still don’t realize they can’t get anywhere,&uot; Stephens said.

United Way of the Greater Miss-Lou has already released $15,000 in emergency funding to agencies helping with the relief effort, and Stephens said the national United Way organization is working with the local chapter to find more aid.

Alderman Jake Middleton asked Stephens if Natchez would get any relief once Brookhaven and McComb get power.

&uot;Not much,&uot; Stephens said, noting that evacuees simply can’t be moved.

&uot;You can’t imagine how disoriented they are,&uot; she said.

But Stephens said Natchez &045; of all the cities south of Jackson &045; is in the best shape to care for the people who have no homes.

&uot;We’re the best of the best,&uot; she said.

Mayor Phillip West said a meeting for 10 a.m. Monday for city and county officials, emergency management, United Way, Red Cross and others who are working on the relief effort to share information and make plans for the future.