While southern Louisiana is no stranger to what a natural disaster can do to homes, livelihoods, and communities…no one could’ve prepared for the historically devastating flood that is still takings its toll on the area. What makes this region strong is the resilience of those who are going through this experience and the overwhelming response from neighboring parishes and compassionate citizens. Below is a list of local and national ways you can help the more than 10,000 people currently in shelters and hundreds of thousands more affected by the widespread flooding:
1. Donate supplies
United Way of Southeast Louisiana is accepting flood relief items at 2515 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA, between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Items can be mailed to or dropped off at United Way of Southeast Louisiana -Tangipahoa Regional Office, 411 W Coleman Ave, Hammond, LA 70403; between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Please note there is not a need for donations of clothing and furniture at this time but a full list of needed items can be found here.
Second Harvest Food Bank food/supplies and monetary donations can be made at any Louisiana Rouses supermarket. A full list of needed items can be found here.
Hope Ministries in Baton Rouge is accepting cleaning supplies donated in the form of a 5 gallon bucket filled with any of the following: Laundry detergent, liquid house cleaner, dish soap, insect repellant, scrub brush, reusable cleaning wipes, sponges, scouring pads, heavy-duty trash bags, dust masks, plastic gloves, and bleach. Donations can be dropped off at 4643 Winbourne Ave, Baton Rouge, LA, between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. To keep relief efforts efficient and organized please only donate the items listed above. For more information see Hope Ministry’s donation page.
2. Volunteer
Mercy Chefs is looking for volunteers to assist with feeding. If you are in the Baton Rouge area and able to volunteer for one meal shift or more, they can put your service to good use. Once registered, their volunteer coordinator will contact you to schedule your shift(s). More information can be found on their volunteer page.
Samaritan’s Purse is coordinating teams of up to 15 for three-day volunteer efforts to assist with debris removal and mudouts in East Baton Rouge Parish. Both teams and individuals are welcome, with a minimum age of 14. Further information can be found on their volunteer page.
The team at NOLA Tree Project has been out in boats doing rescues and moving mountains this week in flood devastated St Amant. They are seeking volunteers to help with gutting/clean up this Saturday, August 20. If you can help, register on their website.
Other volunteer sign-up opportunities can be found at United Way of Southeast Louisiana, Second Harvest Food Bank, and American Red Cross.
3. Call, Click, Or Text To Donate
People can donate by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. The Red Cross and its partners have served almost 100,000 meals and have mobilized more than 60 disaster response vehicles, nearly 40,000 ready-to-eat meals, and dozens of trailers filled with shelter and kitchen supplies to bolster relief efforts.
Text STORM to 51555 to donate online to the Salvation Army’s efforts including serving meals, offering spiritual and emotional support, and hygiene and cleanup kits throughout the region.
4. Lend a paw
Know of someone who lost or found a pet in the flood? Direct them to Companion Animal Alliance of Baton Rouge to see their album of found pets, or upload a pic of the pet. They’re also looking for temporary fosters. For more info, visit their website.
Animal Rescue New Orleans is still looking for folks to foster cats to help the no-kill shelter in Denham Springs that was tragically flooded. To foster a cat, visit their website.
Louisiana SPCA is assisting the Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) in collecting supplies including metal buckets with clipping carabineers, wire pet crates in various sizes, leashes, unopened dry cat and dog food, and metal water bowls. Three designated drop-off locations are Canine Connection, Camp Bow Wow in Mid-City, and Demo Diva. For more info visit their dedicated page.
5. Dine, Drink, and Checkout For A Cause
Nola Boils Cafe’ and Catering will be donating 10% of all sales to the American Red Cross to benefit flood victims in Louisiana. This will begin Monday, August 15 and conclude Friday, August 19.
Staring this Friday, during “Free Tour Friday” from 2PM to 3PM, NOLA Brewing Tap Room is asking for a suggested donation of $1 for every complimentary beer. NOLA Brewing will match $1 for every pint given away! They will also be running a raffle for prizes starting 2pm on Friday till noon on Sunday, August 21. Check out the raffle here.
Cafe Henri, Cure, and Cane & Table in partnership with Donner-Peltier Distillers will be providing folks (over 21) with a Sugarshine-based punch for free if you bring in any combination of three of the below items. If a guest does not have any goods to donate, but they want to chip in, then they are welcome to buy the punch at $10 and they will donate the proceeds to Second Harvest Food Bank. Goods to donate include non-perishable food items: canned vegetables, fruit, and meats (tuna and chicken), soups, stews, beans and chili as well as peanut butter, pasta, rice, breakfast cereal, shelf-stable milk. Highly nutritious items such as protein bars, Ensure, and PediaSure are also needed.
Dirty Coast has put together a collection of their t-shirts as well as a baton designed in collaboration with GoodWood NOLA with all profits benefitting Second Harvest Food Bank and Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank’s disaster response efforts. Check out the collection here.
For more opportunities to help our friends and families in southern Louisiana, please visit the Yelp Events page of New Orleans dedicated to support efforts here.
