Natchez &8212; Anything extra is going to help make Christmas merrier this year, hurricane Katrina evacuee Pat Gibson said.

Gibson was pleasantly surprised this week when she went to the Katrina Survivors Store &8212; an outlet store that provides clothing and supplies for evacuees &8212; to find that the Salvation Army was giving out Wal-Mart gift cards.

&8220;I&8217;m letting my little grandson go shopping,&8221; Gibson said. &8220;Maybe he can get a hat, or a little game. It won&8217;t go far, but it&8217;s better than nothing.&8221;

Several area agencies reach their arms out to help those in need every Christmas, but this year they are stretching further to help evacuees from New Orleans and the coast.

The Salvation Army was giving away Wal-Mart gift cards to evacuees from the coast Tuesday and Wednesday.

&8220;It&8217;s just something to help with Christmas,&8221; the Salvation Army&8217;s Janet Trahern said, noting the Natchez chapter is just one of many Salvation Army chapters providing gift cards this season.

Kathy Stephens, director of United Way of the Greater Miss-Lou, said many area agencies are helping evacuees this holiday season. The best way for evacuees to get help, she said, is to visit the Survivors Store, which is located at Seargent S. Prentiss Drive and Wood Avenue in Natchez.

Stephens said United Way assisted the Salvation Army with the gift card distribution this week, and volunteers gave out about $30,000 in gift cards.

The Survivors Store still needs donations, Stephens said, although clothing is not needed. Donations can be dropped off at the store, which is open from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In addition to the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities is also helping evacuees this Christmas, Stephens said.

And evacuees are grateful for the help.

Sisters Latorya Jones and Alyshia Anderson, along with their friend Dionne Dawson, received gift cards from the Salvation Army Wednesday. They have already signed up their children &8212; five among them &8212; for the Salvation Army&8217;s Angel Tree toy distribution this year, but the extra money will help make it a better Christmas, they said. The gift cards and the Angel Tree are a big help, the women said.

The children have begun to ask whether Santa Claus will be able to find them in their new homes, Anderson said.

&8220;That&8217;s the hardest part,&8221; Anderson said. &8220;They want to know if Santa can find them.&8221;