Meg Gatto - meg@abc26.com ABC26 News

June 29, 2010
ST. BERNARD, La.—
Day 71 of the oil spill and many affected fishermen and their families are running out of money. Catholic Charities is trying to help as many as they can by giving away gift cards to local grocery stores.

In St. Bernard Parish Tuesday, people lined up outside of St. Bernard Catholic Church, bright and early to secure a spot in line. For many of them, this has become their new routine. Every Tuesday, lining up for free food or a gift card. Boat Captain Wilkenson Evans says its embarrassing. But with no money coming in he really doesn't have any other choice.

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Tracy Jones finds herself in the same situation. With a husband who is out of work, and kids to feed, money is extremely tight. "Thank God for Catholic Charities ... the seafood industry is terrible," Jones says.

$100 dollars won't go too far but at least its something. As these people wait outside for hours in dreary conditions for a free handout, they hope Vice President Joe Biden is watching while he's in town. And they're hopeful he can do something to ease their pain. Lisa Collins, whose husband is a commercial fisherman says, "Bring him down, don't just show him pictures of the oil. Let him live our lives for a little while, let him feel the hurt that we feel."