Parish Partners with United Way of St. Charles to Host Supply Drive for Flood Victims
St. Charles Parish and the United Way of St. Charles will be collecting supply donations for victims of the recent rain event until August 26th at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center at 274 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway in Luling and the Allen Arterbury Building at 14564 River Road in New Sarpy.
“We are deeply saddened by the devastating flooding impacting our South Louisiana neighbors. During this time of recovery and rebuilding, many are wondering what is the best way to help. While all the needs are not known at this time, it is clear that they will require our assistance and support during this challenging period,” stated John Dias, Executive Director of United Way of St. Charles.
Drop off times for the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center are from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Drop off times for the Allen Arterbury Building are from 8:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. The following is a list of items that the parish is collecting:
· Toilet paper
· Hand sanitizer
· Tooth brushes, paste
· Soap
· Shampoo
· Deordorant
· Feminie products
· Baby food, formula, bottles, diapers, wipes
· Buckets, mops, cleaning agents
· Non-perishable foods (pop top cans, ready to eat dinners, gatorade, pop tarts, granola bars
· Towels
· Packaged underwear (men, women)
"We were very fortunate in St. Charles Parish as we could easily have seen worse damage," said Parish President Larry Cochran. "We are asking that our residents come together and help by donating the listed items to those who need it most."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) discourages gifts of clothing to disaster victims. Clothing has to be stored, sorted, cleaned and repackaged, then distributed to people who need it. All supplies will be organized at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) members and then delivered directly to the parishes in need. Boxes for supplies were provided free of charge from Walmart Supercenter in Boutte.
Donations have also been requested by the Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) and Zues’ Place in New Orleans. The St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter is accepting donations of cat litter, litter boxes (rectangle plastic kind), cat or dog food, and Dawn detergent for decontamination. Please bring donations to the shelter at 921 Rue La Cannes Drive in Luling from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donations will go to Lamar Dixon & Zeus’ Place holding rescued animals. For more information, call (985) 783-5010. The St. Charles Humane Society is also accepting prepaid VISA cards to be sent to the LSART to help owners purchase supplies.
Additionally, United Way Partner Agency Red Cross Louisiana is currently responding by providing meals, a safe place to sleep and emotional support for those with immediate, disaster-caused needs in dozens of shelters around the effected areas. Red Cross is in immediate need of volunteers at local shelters.
Anyone wishing to make a cash donation is encouraged to give directly to Louisiana Red Cross or Capital Area United Way.
Citizens in need of services should dial 2-1-1. VIA LINK 2-1-1 is available 24/7. VIA LINK is a partner agency of United Way and provides information, referrals, training, and crisis intervention to people, organizations, and communities so they can help themselves and others.