VIDALIA, La. &045; A new relief fund is already putting its money to work.

Set up on Oct. 12, the fund, set up by the parent corporation of Louisiana Hydroelectric, will hand out its first checks to charitable organizations doing relief work this week, Louisiana Hydroelectric General Manager David Harris said.

&uot;I’m expecting checks this week for the first four organizations that requested assistance so we’ll be making some contributions in the community this week,&uot; Harris said.

The goal of the fund is to help relief organizations with expenses they may incur. The first round of money is going to one national organization and three local churches that have been heavily involved in relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina, Harris said. At least two other local organizations have contacted him as well.

Louisiana Hydroelectric, which runs the Syndey A. Murray generating station on the Old River Complex, is overseeing the distribution of money from the fund. The fund was started by Brascan Power Corporation, Louisiana Hydroelectric’s parent corporation, with an initial donation of $250,000. Harris said more funds may be added in the future.

Harris said he wants to make sure relief organizations can continue to provide help to evacuees in the coming months.

&uot;It will be months before many of these people can go back, especially some places in New Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes,&uot; Harris said. &uot;We don’t want this money to be a one-time shot, we want to help organizations for the long haul.&uot;