We have to focus now on the next big problem which will be heating.

We need the money now or we will be forced to scale down food deliveries. So far, we have been operating on reserves, and borrowing ... and the pipeline is drying up.

We hope that this week there will be a major change in commitments and contributions.

I would say we have made good progress. The glass is definitely half-full -- it's not half-empty -- but we are still worried because the weather is the big unknown factor and we are not sure how people will be able to cope.

The situation is horrific. The job is colossal. One disaster occurred Saturday that couldn't be prevented but a second disaster must be.

The race to provide suitable shelter in time is not lost yet, but the consequences of failure, resulting from the lack of relief funds, could result in the deaths of vulnerable people.