LDS Church sends Haiti first of several shipments of aid

An extensive relief package is on its way from Salt Lake City to the residents of storm-torn Haiti as a request was made by its officials for help.

Tropical Storm Jeanne left little of the already suffering country as it crossed the small island earlier this week. It has been reported that more than a thousand are dead and more than 280,000 are homeless.

In response to an intense need, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent off the first of several planned shipments containing enough clothing, shoes, blankets and hygiene kits for 10,000 people. It is expected to arrive in the country sometime today.

Another 15 containers, each with nearly 45,000 pounds of goods and a significant cash contribution to be used to purchase food, will be shipped across land during the next few days.