How to Help

There’s nowhere quite like Louisiana. This is something people say about their homes; something people say about precious places all over the globe. But it means more here, and I’ll tell you why. This place we live is an enigma: possessing some of the most wondrous, weird, and beautiful natural ecosystems on the planet, which coexist with industry in a complex web of human economic reliance and environmental strain. Its people run the gamut from wildly eccentric to hyper-traditional, and wonderful things pour forth from these wells. Its communities—from the boisterous life of New Orleans to the wild, remote bayous—tie people down tightly. No matter how far we wander, our homes here become a part of us in ways so complicated and true that we always come back, at least for a little while. All of this is tied up in the fact that this place, our home, is one of the world’s most fragile—most likely to shift, to change, to crumble, to disappear.

Hurricanes are a part of our existence here, but they never do get easier. Hurricane Laura, as you all know so well, is being dubbed one of the most powerful storms to strike our coast. Fifteen years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans looks to its west in a unique and terrible sort of understanding, and Louisiana once again gathers 'round its people to rebuild. People from the hardest hit areas—Lake Charles and Cameron Parish—face weeks without power or water against a backdrop of severely damaged or totally lost homes, joblessness, businesses who may never recover, and so, so much work to do.

And the efforts have already begun! Here we offer a list of ways to contribute, through your hands or your dollars, large and small. In the middle of a national pandemic, resources are especially strained, and these communities need help more than ever. Part of the mystique of this place we call home is the way we care for each other, the way we are connected to our neighbors—even the ones we’ll never meet. Because we share something remarkable living here: an incomprehensible determination to remain and to protect our place, even when it means starting from the ground up, again.  

DONATE

Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana Hurricane Relief and Recovery Fund: The Foundation is building a relief fund to distribute as grants to worthy nonprofits in the wake of Hurricane Laura. Initial grants will be used to help pay for food, shelter, medicine, and other necessities. As recovery progresses, the grants will then be used for long-term recovery efforts. 

Cajun Navy Relief & Rescue: This group of volunteers works to provide immediate rescue and relief during natural disasters by integrating civilian volunteers into the Incident Command Structure. Officially organized in the wake of South Louisiana's 2016 floods, the nonprofit has served following Hurricanes Harvey, irma, Florence, Michael, Barry, and Tropical Storm Imelda. They have also aided in missing child search and rescue. People can arrange to donate supplies or funds through their website. 

The Red Cross: The American Red Cross, made up mostly of volunteers, has provided emergency assistance and disaster relief around the country since the nineteenth century. More than 1,200 trained disaster workers have already been mobilized to support Hurricane Laura relief efforts on the ground and virtually. Donate online or by texting the word LAURA to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Blood donors are also in demand. 

All Hands and Hearts Smart Response: A volunteer-powered disaster relief organization, All Hands and Hearts' Disaster Assessment and Response Team has been meeting with SWLA community members and partners to establish what is needed, which the organization anticipates will include: chainsaw work, debris removal, and roof tarping. 

Direct Relief: This humanitarian aid organization was founded in 1948 by refugee war immigrants to the United States and is currently active in all fifty states and over eighty countries. It practices an approach of direct and targeted assistance provided in a manner that works to respect and involve the people served. In the wake of Laura, Direct Relief staged caches of critically needed medication with health centers and clinics in the storm's path and is preparing for additional infusions of support based on demand. 

Family Promise: With a mission to aid homeless and low-income families through community-based response designed to help them achieve sustainable independence, Family Promise has locations across the country, including in Lafayette. Funds donated to the Hurricane Relief Fund will support the work of providing shelter and stabilization services to families experiencing homelessness after the storm. 

Mercy Chefs: Mercy Chefs provides professionally prepared, restaurant-quality meals for victims, volunteers, and first responders in national emergencies and natural disasters using self-sustaining kitchens able to run in areas without power or clean water. Right now, two of the organization's kitchens are set up in Lake Charles. 

Operation USA: This privately-funded Los Angeles-based international disaster relief and development agency works to help communities overcome the effects of disasters, disease, violence, and endemic poverty. Donations (specified for Hurricane Laura relief) will enable the organization to deliver in-kind material aid and to distribute cash grants to community-based organizations in impacted communities. 

Save the Children: The world's leading charity for children for over a century, Save the Children is dedicated to ensuring children around the world are given education opportunities and protection from harm. The organization's emergency response teams are mobilizing in the wake of Laura to deliver displaced families essential items such as hygiene kits and diapers. 

St. Bernard Project: This national New Orleans-based disaster relief organization formed after Hurricane Katrina is already on the ground in Hurricane-Laura impacted communities. A $100 donation will provide PPE to ten team members; $250 will fund three kits to muck/gut flooded homes; $500 supports contact-free client services technology; $1,000 deploys a team of AmeriCorps members to support disaster recovery.  

Texas Diaper Bank: With a mission to address the diaper gap and its impact on individuals in crisis, the Texas Diaper Bank is currently collecting both diaper and cash donations to help families affected by Hurricane Laura, including evacuees sheltering throughout Texas. They are also providing resources such as incontinence supplies, feminine products, hygiene kits, pack and plays, and masks. 

United Way Southwest Louisiana: For over eighty years, UWSWLA has been dedicated to strengthening its community by targeting community needs with a focus on education, economic mobility, health, and basic needs. Donations can be made with a focus on Hurricane Laura Response and disaster recovery. 

The Mutual Aid Response Network: Led by Imagine Water Works, this group of Louisiana residents activates during natural and manmade disasters. All donations to the organization's Hurricane Laura Relief Fund will go directly towards supporting relief efforts in Southwest Louisiana, with a commitment to transparency and prioritizing the funding, leadership, and safety of BIPOC. 

Foundation for Louisiana: A Black-led foundation founded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, this organization has invested $55 million in more than 250 mission-critical nonprofits working across the state towards building a more just Louisiana by advancing racial justice and engaging communities in the process. The group has mobilized to help with Hurricane Laura relief, and donations will help them deliver support where it is most needed.  

World Central Kitchen: Working to create solutions to hunger and poverty, WCK has mobilized over and over again in the wake of natural and manmade disasters all over the world. The Relief Team has been activated across the SWLA region, preparing kitchens to feed the most impacted communities. 

Greater New Orleans Foundation: As New Orleans' philanthropic foundation, GNOF has long been dedicated to serving Louisiana communities even beyond New Orleans. In response to Hurricanes Marco and Laura, the organization has activated its Disaster Response and Restoration Fund to provide assistance to those most in need. 

Second Harvest Food Bank: Leading the fight against hunger in South Louisiana, Second Harvest provides support to over seven hundred community partners and programs across twenty three parishes through food distribution programs, community kitchen meal service, nutrition education, and public benefits assistance. Every $1 donated to its Hurricane Laura relief fund provides four meals to someone in need. 

Catholic Charities of Acadiana: Long dedicated to serving the poor in its communities through feeding programs, housing assistance, and more, Catholic Charities' Hurricane Laura fund will be used to provide relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura and in assisting in the long term rebuilding of the SWLA community. 

Louisiana Hospitality Foundation: With a mission to strengthen Louisiana's hospitality industry through community support, the foundation is mobilizing to provide emergency support to community members in areas impacted by Hurricane Laura. Donations will be used to provide meals to first responders, residents, and community members, as well as issue Hospitality Worker Crisis Grants for basic living expenses. 

Team Rubicon USA: Team Rubicon serves communities by mobilizing veterans to leverage their skills and experience to help people prepare, respond, and recover from disasters and humanitarian crises. Currently mobilized throughout Southwest Louisiana in areas most impacted by the storm, donations go towards relief efforts. 

Our Lady of the Star of the Sea Sticker: Louisiana artist Jillian Engel is selling $5 Our Lady Star of the Sea vinyl stickers on her Etsy page, with all proceeds going to The Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, United Way Southwest Louisiana, and the Southwest Louisiana Center for Health Services. 

Mutual Aid Disaster Relief—Louisiana Amazon Wishlist: This registry created by Mutual Aid Disaster Relief provides volunteers and residents with protective gear and supplies to safely continue their work in the hazardous post-hurricane environment, especially related to debris clearing, cleanup of flooded homes, and mold remediation. 

Volunteer

NOTE: Please remember to take necessary precautions in regards to COVID-19 if you choose to volunteer in person. Do not participate if you are exhibiting symptoms, limit all unnecessary physical contact, wash your hands frequently (or use hand sanitizer), and always wear a mask. 

Operation BBQ Relief: After a tornado struck Joplin, Missouri in 2011, volunteers from competition BBQ teams from eight states rallied to help feed displaced families, police, fire fighters, National Guard, and other emergency personnel. Now, Operation BBQ Relief continues to respond to natural disasters all over the country, and is currently serving in the SWLA region. The organization is now accepting volunteers in deployments, warehouse, fundraising, marketing, management, clerical, and more. 

St Bernard Project: This national New Orleans-based disaster relief organization formed after Hurricane Katrina, and is already on the ground in Hurricane-Laura impacted communities. Volunteers are needed for debris removal, mucking and gutting, food and resource distribution, and much more. 

Second Harvest Food Bank: Leading the fight against hunger in South Louisiana, Second Harvest provides support to over seven hundred community partners and programs across twenty three parishes through food distribution programs, community kitchen meal service, nutrition education, and public benefits assistance. Individuals or groups interested in volunteering with Hurricane Laura relief should contact Michelle Rosamond (New Orleans) at msrosamond@secondharvest.org or (504) 729-2849 or Brittany Bowie (Lafayette) at bbowie@secondharvest.org or (337) 408-2468. 

Catholic Charities of Acadiana: Long dedicated to serving the poor in its communities through feeding programs, housing assistance, and more, Catholic Charities' is considered the official disaster response agency for the Diocese of Lafayette. Sign up to be contacted when volunteer opportunities become available. 

Mercy Chefs: Mercy Chefs provides professionally prepared, restaurant-quality meals for victims, volunteers, and first responders in national emergencies and natural disasters, using self-sustaining kitchens able to run in areas without power or clean water. Right now, two of the organization's kitchens are set up in Lake Charles. Sign up at the link to join the SWLA volunteer team, and a coordinator will be in touch. Chefs are especially encouraged to volunteer their services during this time of need.  

Mutual Aid Disaster Relief: A grassroots disaster relief network based on principles of solidarity, mutual aid, and autonomous direct action, MADR is seeking volunteers in response to Hurricane Laura. Sign up at the link, and you will then be contacted by an organizer. 

NOLAReady Volunteer Corps: New Orleans is currently hosting thousands of evacuees from Hurricane Laura in the city. For the next several weeks, the City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana will host a Resource Fair at the Convention Center to help distribute services and supplies to those in need. Volunteers are needed to hand out donations and sort. Look up shifts and fill out an application at the link. 

United Way of Acadiana: UWA is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank and Catholic Charities to host a food and supply drive from September 1–September 11 to support families impacted by Hurricane Laura. Volunteer needs range from sorting supplies in the warehouse to delivering supplies as needed to various locations throughout Lafayette. See shifts and registration at the link. 

The Red Cross: High-priority needs right now include: Blood Donor Ambassadors, Transportation Specialists, healthcare professionals who can work in emergency shelters, shelter services associates, and shelter supervisors. There are also opportunities to conduct volunteer work virtually. 

If you, reader, know of any other great organizations to donate to or volunteer with that we have not included, please let us know at editorial@countryroadsmag.com.