Britney Blasted for Taking Charity Work Elsewhere

Spears Blasted for Taking Charity Work Elsewhere

Britney Spears has upset locals in her native Kentwood, La., by turning her
back on their post-Hurricane Katrina charity needs.

The Spears family's neighbors were appalled to hear the pop star is
spearheading a new TV recovery campaign for New Orleans, La., residents --
because they feel charity should begin at home.

Kentwood locals feel Spears should be helping fund a local recovery effort
before she helps raise cash for others.

The owner of one of Britney's former hang-outs, the Kentwood Cafe, is one of
those disgusted by the singer's actions.

Stacy Toller's local restaurant suffered extensive damage when last summer's
storms hit town, and she's struggling to rebuild the diner.

She says, "When Hurricane Katrina blew through the area, the cafe suffered
extensive damages, to the tune of over $20,000; only 50 percent of the
damages are covered by insurance.

"We can't afford that. We need help, as much as the next people down here.
We're better off than some, worse off than others. But does Britney offer to
help the community that raised her, where her family still live, go to
school and worship in church? Fat chance.

"She doesn't care about Kentwood -- she hasn't since she left. It's just
what she's always done. Still doesn't make it right that she doesn't give
back to her own."

Spears celebrated the first Mardi Gras in New Orleans since Hurricane
Katrina on ABC's "Good Morning America" Tuesday by visiting young fans in
the city.