When disaster strikes, Americans open their wallets. It's usually what we do best. Not this time, however.

While Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 both provoked an unprecedented flood of generosity, the Gulf oil spill has yielded only a trickle to help floundering coastal communities, despite the non-stop coverage of the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history, several charities report.

With little process in place to distribute the $20 billion BP has set aside for aid, it is struggling workers who are taking the hit. The unemployed are getting turned away when they seek benefits, are struggling to feed their families, and are also bearing an enormous psychological toll. Social service organizations, lacking funds, have been unable to fully step into the breach.

In testimony to Congress recently, Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, called on President Obama to declare a national disaster in the region. This step would improve the delivery of social services, remove several federal restrictions for worker benefits, provide access to emergency food stamps, and free-up other federal resources. Such a move could also generate more support for local non-profits.

Now 3 months old, how could the worst environmental catastrophe in U.S. history not be a national disaster? Tell President Obama to get on this now. His signature -- a flick of his pen -- could help thousands of families in the Gulf.