Mo., Kan., charities rushing aid to Haiti

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Midwest charities are rushing to help after the massive earthquake in the impoverished country of Haiti.

Heart to Heart International plans to ship between $500,000 and $1 million worth of medical supplies by Thursday. The charity, based in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe, Kan., also is preparing to send up to 10 people this weekend, including doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians.

Springfield, Mo.-based Convoy of Hope will distribute food and supplies from an already stocked warehouse in Haiti.

Spokesman Kirk Noonan says the humanitarian relief organization also plans to send an assessment team and several large containers filled with food, water and emergency relief supplies.

Several other aid groups around the region are also preparing responses.