BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) –
The need for help from the public is growing. Below are ways in which you can provide help to flood victims. The BBB offers the following tips when donating money to organizations in times of need:
Be cautious about giving online, especially in response to spam messages and emails that claim to link to a relief organization. If you are seeking to give to a charity involved in relief efforts, go directly to the charity s website.
Be careful when relying on third-party recommendations, such as bloggers or other websites. They might have failed to fully research the listed relief organization.
Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations will assist victims. Despite what an organization might claim, charities have fundraising and administration costs. Even a credit card donation will involve, at minimum, a processing fee.
Find out if the charity has an on-the-ground presence in the impacted area. See if the charity s website clearly describes what it can do to address immediate needs. Charities that do not already have staff in the affected area may not be able to provide assistance quickly
Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups. If so, you may want to consider avoiding the middleman and give directly to charities that have a presence in the devastated area.
Do not give cash, but pay by check or credit card. Do not make a check payable to an individual always make out your check to the charity.
For more information about wise giving, go to geauxbbb.org[1] or www.give.org[2].
RELIEF WORKERS FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL:
East Baton Rouge Parish will be holding a hiring event on Friday, August 19 at the Baton Rouge Marriott Hotel, 5500 Hilton Ave. The hiring event will begin at 1 p.m. The City-Parish will be hiring workers to help with debris removal efforts. Minimal eligibility requirements for potential workers includes owning or having dependable access to a vehicle; able to pass a drug test; possessing valid car insurance; and having a clean driving record. Attendees must bring proof of a valid driver’s license and car insurance.
SHELTER NEEDS:
There is still a need at Lamar Dixon for volunteers, as well as pillows, blankets, towels, clothes, underwear (new in package) and Ziploc bags. They also have emergency stalls available for horses impacted by flooding and are in need of volunteers to help with horses.
The Baton Rouge River Center shelter is also requesting pillows, blankets, new children’s clothing, and new socks/underwear.
The shelter at the Celtic Media Centre, located at 10000 Celtic Dr. in Baton Rouge, needs the following supplies for flood victims:
combs (wide-tooth and all varieties)
brushes
shampoo and conditioner
moisturizer
hair clips, headbands, and ponytail holders
satin head wraps
setting-lotion
plus-sized women’s clothing
women and men’s under garments (underwear, bras)
socks
individual water flavor packets
adult diapers
hand sanitizer
NOT accepting water or used clothing/shoes
The City of Denham Springs, Healing Place Church, and Jefferson Baptist Church are working together to establish a distribution center to meet the needs of individuals in our community. Donations for the center can be dropped off at Healing Place’s Denham Springs campus, located in the 600 block of Florida Boulevard behind Whitney Bank, or at Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. The following items are being are currently being accepted:
Adult diapers
Medical supplies
Wheelchairs
Walkers
Oxygen tanks
Pillows
Blankets
Cleaning supplies
Toiletries
Toothbrushes
Shoes (new or nearly new)
No clothing is being accepted at this time
VOLUNTEER/DONATION OPPORTUNITIES
ALBERTSONS matching donations up to $300,000. Details here[3]. To help victims of the devastating and historic flooding, WAFB Channel and Albertsons are working together to raise funds for the American Red Cross Louisiana Flood Relief efforts.
100 BLACK MEN: The 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge has established a relief fund to help supply youth and families affected by the ongoing flooding in the Southern Louisiana region. You can join this effort and help by donating at http://www.100blackmenbr.org/about/fundraisers/[4].
ASSESS THE NEED: Livingston Parish s school supply drive program is now taking donations for school supplies. Go online to www.assesstheneed.com to make a donation. All donations are tax deductible. All donations should be made online or checks can be mailed to Assess the Need, P. O. Box 1802, Denham Springs, LA 70727. [5]
ASSOCIATED PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS OF LOUISIANA (A+PEL) is seeking donations for teachers support in areas devastated by flooding. Visit http://www.apeledcators.org[6]
BAKER CITY HALL: Volunteer or drop off donations: food, water, non-perishable food items needed. All those who are looking to volunteers and contractors looking to work in the city can go to Baker City Hall to register. Anyone who still needs help should visit City Hall or call (225) 778-0300 so that they can be placed on a list of those needing assistance.
BATON ROUGE AREA FOUNDATION: BRAF has a relief fund that assists nonprofits responding to flooding across the state. People can make donations online at braf.org[7]. Donations to the Louisiana Flood Relief Fund are tax deductible.
CAPITAL AREA UNITED WAY: Capital Area United Way is accepting donations to help with long-term recovery. Text LAFLOOD to 313131 or http://www.cauw.org/donate[8].
CITY OF DENHAM SPRINGS: The City of Denham Springs, Healing Place Church, and Jefferson Baptist Church are working together to establish a distribution center to meet the needs of individuals in the community. Donations for the center can be dropped off at Healing Place’s Denham Springs campus, located in the 600 block of Florida Blvd. behind Whitney Bank, or at Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. The following items are being are currently being accepted:
Adult diapers
Medical supplies
Wheelchairs
Walkers
Oxygen tanks
Pillows
Blankets
Cleaning supplies
Toiletries
Toothbrushes
Shoes (new or nearly new)
*No clothing is being accepted at this time.
COMPANION ANIMAL ALLIANCE: Needs foster homes to house pets temporarily, large bath towels, paper towels, water, and food for volunteers and staff. Donations can be made online to assist with these needs by going to the organization’s website, www.CAABR.org[9].
COTTONPORT BANK: Baton Rouge Branch, 6500 Corporate Blvd., (225) 231-6606; Brusly Branch, 110 West St. Francis Street, (225) 749-5892. List of items being accepted: men’s, women’s, and children’s underwear, cleaning supplies for flood victims, all toiletry items, baby products, paper products, first aid items, over the counter medicines, senior items (ie. Depends), and dog food (Baton Rouge Branch only).
DENHAM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER: Accepting donations via a GoFundMe[10] account, which PetCo is matching dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000. The shelter also has an Amazon Wish List[11]. By making purchases on Amazon, needed items will be sent directly to the shelter.
DNC: If you d like to send supplies or create care packages, the following items are needed: batteries, diapers, wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet tissue, bar soap, bottled water, travel size shampoo and conditioner, body wash, non-perishable foods (ramen, etc.), blankets, flashlights, and first aid kits. You can send care packages to: YMCA AC LEWIS, 350 S Foster Dr., Baton Rouge, La 70806. If you d prefer to make a monetary donation, you can do that by clicking here[12] and making the following notation with your contribution: Louisiana Flood 2016. Checks can also be made payable to: YMCA Capital Area, Ear marked- Louisiana Flood 2016,
Relief targeted to seniors: EBR Council on Aging, http://ebrcoa.org/[13], Address: 5790 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, Phone: (225) 923-8000
DUTCH PHYSICAL THERAPY: Is now collecting donations for the Salvation Army at their Baton Rouge locations:
5627 Bankers Ave Bldg 1 Baton Rouge, LA 70808
10343 Siegen Lane 3A Baton Rouge, LA 70810
FAMILY ROAD OF GREATER BATON ROUGE: You can donate formula, diapers, baby food, infant/toddler clothes 0-3T, infant wipes, feminine hygiene products, new sets of underclothes in all sizes, new car seats, new cribs and new pack-n-plays, towels and pillows. Financial donations can be made at www.familyroadgbr.org[14]. We are open to take all applications including DSNAP, Medicaid, and ACA. For more information you can call us at 225- 201-8888.
FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER: Those who wish to ship supplies directly to the FWC donation center should ship to: JSM Flood Relief, 8919 World Ministry Avenue, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70810. Volunteers interested in helping with supply distribution should contact Nikki Tracy by email at
JEWEL J. NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER: Donations will be accepted during business hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday in Building B at the Jewel J. Newman Community Center at 2013 Central Rd., Baton Rouge. Needed items continue to include pillows, blankets, bottled water, underwear for adults and children, cleaning supplies, baby formula and food, masks, non-perishable food items, buckets, mops, rubber gloves, toilet paper, diapers, soap, shampoo, socks for adults and children, feminine hygiene products, deodorant, boxes or containers, and school supplies. Volunteer groups are needed and should schedule their availability by calling (225) 775-3935 or (225) 389-8331.
LEWY PHYSICAL THERAPY: On Siegen Ln. is now accepting donations for American Red Cross.
LEXLEE’S KIDS: Lexlee’s Kids is a Baton Rouge, LA based non-profit organization dedicated to serving the community through safety education, is taking donations of car seats and portable cribs. They have set up a GoFundMe[24] page for donations as well. For more information, visit their Facebook page[25] or website[26].
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CHURCH: Donate items to the Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Church located at at 1564 Nicholson Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70802 or call Councilwoman Tara Wicker at (225) 317-1849. Donations needed: LOTS of boxes, storage crates, clothing racks, new underwear for men and women, Ziploc bags, personal hygiene supplies, styrofoam to-go plates, LOTS of heavy duty construction trash bags, markers, tape, first aid supplies, lots of CLEANING supplies, washing powder, dishwashing liquid, dand soap, pillow cases, linens, blankets, towels, paper goods, and construction materials. Larger donated items needed: two refrigerators or freezers, one microwave, one dryer, and one washer. Volunteers to help distribute these items and an electrician that can install 220 amp plugs are also needed.
LIVINGSTON SHELTERS: The Lamar Dixon Expo Center has been set up as a Red Cross shelter. Officials ask those wishing to provide donations to do so at the nearest fire station and to not bring those donations directly to the shelter. If you can help, call (225) 686-3996.
LOUISIANA PROGRESS: You can drop off supplies to the Friendship Chapel Activity Center at 2111 North St. in Baton Rouge. Most shelters are not accepting cooked food. You can however bring breakfast, lunch, or dinner to the to the Friendship Chapel to feed approximately 20-50 people any time between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Shelters in need of donations are as follows:
BREC Blueberry Recreational Center, 1870 Ardenwood Dr.
Celtic Studios (not accepting volunteers at this time)
Jewel J. Newman Community Center, 2013 Central Rd., Baton Rouge (not accepting volunteers at this time)
LSU STUDENTS: Can register to volunteer through their MyLSU account. Information for those affected and those who would like to help will be updated on www.lsu.edu/floodrelief[27]. People interested in donating to students affected by the storm, should go to: www.lsufoundation.org/floodrelief[28], which now has information for students and for employees, including helpful links for basic questions and other services.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS & PELICANS: The efforts of the Saints and the Pelicans will include:
Utilizing the teams training facilities (Saints Practice Facility Lobby Museum, 5800 Airline Dr., Metairie, LA 70003) to serve as a collection point for the public for non-perishable food items and other flood related items of need including toiletries, infant supplies, and everyday items of use. (Aug. 17 – 25 during regular business hours).
Collection of the above mentioned items during New Orleans Saints open training camp practices (Aug. 22 – 24).
Those wishing to help are encouraged to drop off the items at the Saints facility during normal business hours. The collections will take place during work days from Aug. 17 – 25.
On Aug. 18, the administrative staffs of the teams will partner with the Second Harvest Food Bank s Community Kitchen in order to prepare packaged meals for those affected by the flooding.
NICHOLLS FOUNDATION: The Nicholls Foundation is sponsoring an online crowd-sourcing campaign titled the ‘Nicholls Emergency Flood Relief’ to assist affected students. With an initial goal of $10,000, the fundraiser began Wednesday, Aug. 17 and will close Aug. 31. Any funds raised that are not claimed will be used to establish savings for future emergencies. Students impacted by the flood can call the Office of Student Affairs at (985) 448-4022 for more information. To donate visit nicholls.edu/relief[29] or send a check to the University Advancement Office.
OPERATION BLESSING INTERNATIONAL: Operation Blessing will be accepting volunteers daily (Monday Saturday) at 8 a.m. at the Denham Springs campus of Healing Place Church (569 Florida Ave SW). Orientation will begin at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, dress appropriately for work in the field, and also provide their own transportation to and from the work site. Operation Blessing will provide lunch, work assignments, management, and tools. For more information on how to volunteer, please call the OB Volunteer Hotline: 757-374-0944.
VOLUNTEER HOUSING: A limited amount of volunteer housing will be made available soon. Volunteers that need lodging must register 24-48 hours in advance. Please contact National Volunteer Manager, Kerry Dodson, to register for lodging at 757-226-3407 or via email at
RED CROSS: Those wanting to volunteer can register at redcross.org/louisiana[33] (click on Volunteer on right side). You can also call 855-489-2528 or sign up online at volunteerlouisiana.gov[34]. To help people affected by the Louisiana Floods, visit redcross.or[35]g, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help people recovery from these disasters. For any other questions about donations, visit http://www.redcross.org/faq/[36].
Right now it s important to connect with your loved ones who are concerned about your well-being. If you can, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell to register yourself on the Red Cross Safe and Well website which is a secure and private way that friends and family connect. The site also allows people to update their status on Facebook and Twitter. With just one quick registration, you can provide peace of mind to all of your loved ones at once. [37]
RIVER OAKS BAPTIST CHURCH: Located at 14949 Old Hammond Hwy., has converted to a distribution center where community members can pick up free items. For further information call Dedria Givens-Carroll at (225) 202-8588.
SALVATION ARMY: The Salvation Army of Greater Baton Rouge is in need of a large amount of volunteers Wednesday with the magnitude of the donations that are coming in. Donations are now being accepted 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the Mervyn’s near entrance 3 at Cortana Mall. These items will be loaded on a truck and taken directly into the impacted area. Items such as tooth paste and toothbrushes, toilet paper, soap and shampoo, and even cleaning supplies like bleach can all be dropped off at this location. *Please do not drop off diapers or used clothing at this time.
Salvation Army will be feeding lunch and dinner at the following locations:
Baton Rouge:
Charles R. Kelly Center at 3535 Riley
Hope Ministries at 4643 Winbourne Ave.
And there will be disaster units on the move throughout the affected areas
Denham Springs:
Christ Community Church – Juban
Pards North Park – Eden Church Rd
The Salvation Army of Greater Baton Rouge announced Monday, because of the flooding of its main Baton Rouge facility off Airline Highway, it has temporarily relocated its offices to Capital One Bank s Industriplex facility. To volunteer, or if you are in need of assistance, call (225) 355-4483. Volunteers can email
SAVE THE CHILDREN’S GULF COAST DISASTER RELIEF FUND: Accepting donations to help protect children and support immediate needs of families affected by flooding. They can be sent online[40].
SECOND HARVEST DISASTER RESPONSE: Second Harvest Food Bank is responding to the third major natural disaster to hit South Louisiana in just six months, sending thousands of pounds of food, water, and cleaning supplies to flood victims in Tangipahoa Parish, Lafayette, and Baton Rouge. As this unprecedented disaster unfolds, Second Harvest is committed for the long haul to support those in need. You can make a donation here[41]. Dirty Coast in New Orleans is also selling t-shirts to support the cause. All proceeds of the “Carry the Baton” merchandise will go straight to Second Harvest Disaster Response. Those shirts can be purchased here[42].
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY: Donate here https://netcommunity.sus.edu/pages/flood-relief-fund[43]. The Southern University System Foundation, in cooperation with the University administration, has established the Southern University Flood Relief Fund, to provide assistance to University students and employees that have been significantly impacted by historic area flooding.
ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN BATON ROUGE: St. Benilde Catholic Church (Metairie) Men s Club will cook 1,000 jambalaya dinners Thursday evening at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Baton Rouge. While there will be distribution by STM parishioners to clean-up crews working in our area, dinners will be available for pickup at STM s Youth House on the corner of Sherbrook Drive at Parkwood Drive near the intersection of Sherwood Forest Boulevard and Goodwood Boulevard. Serving times will be 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Jambalaya, salad and roll will be served.
ST. JAMES PARISH: Volunteers are needed at all locations to assist with sandbagging. Sandbagging will take place daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sand and bags for sandbagging are available at the following locations:
East Bank Locations:
Grand Point Fire Station
Behind Creole House Restaurant in Grand Point
Young s Kwik Stop in Convent
First Community Antioch Baptist Church
Gramercy North Airline Highway Fire Station (Near St. James Nursery)
West Bank Locations:
King View Street Fire Station
South Vacherie Fire and Rescue Training Center (Near Health Unit)
Sand and bags are available at all locations. Residents are encouraged to bring your own shovel and bag your own sand. These locations will have sand and bags delivered regularly throughout the day. Volunteers should go to all locations to assist with sandbagging and not gather at one location so that we can fill as many sandbags as possible.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: Currently needs the following items:
New twin size sheets and blankets and pillows
Food for brown bag suppers
Candy
Granola bars
Crackers, cheese crackers, peanut butter crackers
Small bags of chips, pretzels
Ziploc sandwich bags
Canned drinks or bottled water
Lunch meat
Mayo and mustard
Other similar items
These items can be dropped off at the main charitable campus at 220 St. Vincent de Paul Place or at the Essential Needs Distribution Center at 1466 North St.
TANGI HUMANE SOCIETY: Accepting donations via a GoFundMe[44] account. The society also has an Amazon Wish List[45]. By making purchases on Amazon, needed items will be sent directly to the shelter.
TAU KAPPA OMEGA CHAPTER OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY: People in and around the Plaquemine area who want to donate may bring their donations to Tau Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in Plaquemine, Louisiana. The chapter in partnership with the W.I.S.E. Foundation is accepting donations for flood victims. All donations collected will be delivered to shelter sites in need daily. Collection will begin today, Aug. 16 at 10:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. daily. Donations will be accepted at 23810 Eden Street in Plaquemine, LA (the AKA SORORITY HOUSE)
List of items requested are: towels, blankets, toiletries, baby formula, underwear, and Clorox wipes.
TIGER SHREDDING & RECYCLING: Is setting up their office to receive donations and is using their trucks to transport items to the shelters beginning Sunday morning. They will be open to receive items at their office Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Office address: 6307 Quinn Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70817. Call with questions (225) 235-4953.
TOGETHER BATON ROUGE: Together Baton Rouge is fundraising to support the flood recovery in Baton Rouge and throughout southeast Louisiana. One hundred percent of funds will go to immediate recovery at the local level. To access assistance, flood victims should fill out the survey at LAfloodsurvey.com[46]. You can make donations at https://togetherbr.nationbuilder.com/donate[47].
UNITED BLOOD SERVICES: United Blood Services is calling on available area residents to help restore the blood supply. Cancelled mobile blood drives and donor center closures throughout the state have resulted in over 380 lost blood products, and that number will continue to grow. Their Baton Rouge donor center, located at 8234 One Calais, the service road at I-10 and Essen, will open Wednesday, Aug. 17, Thursday, Aug. 18, and Friday, Aug. 19 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in an effort to start restoring the local blood supply. Each day they are evaluating the flood s impact to the area and will update their operating hours on Friday. Mobile blood drives continue to cancel at this time. The amount of blood products lost will continue to grow. The loss of blood products due to flooding is an added factor to an unusual decline in blood donations this summer. If you are in good health, are eligible to donate blood and can safely travel to our donor center, please make it a priority to do so.
Those who wish to donate may call 877-UBS-HERO (877-827-4376) or visit www.bloodhero.com[48] to make an appointment to give. Blood donation takes about an hour from check-in to refreshments. Donors can save about 20 minutes by completing their Fast Track Health History the day they donate. It s at www.UnitedBloodServices.org[49]. Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 must have signed permission from a parent or guardian.
UNITED WAY OF ACADIANA: United Way of Acadiana has launched Flood the Love, a community donations drive to collect basics and toiletries to distribute to those affected by Aug. flooding. Donations will be collected until community needs are met and will be distributed to the public through local non-profit agencies, shelters, and other entities. Visit http://unitedwayofacadiana.org/floodthelove[50] to find out where donations can be dropped and what items are currently needed.
UNITED WAY OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA: Now accepting donations to assist those impacted by flooding in our region. 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. For those who would like to make a donation to directly impact flood relief you may go to the following site: http://www.unitedwaysela.org/flood[51]. To donate by check, please make it payable to United Way of Southeast Louisiana. Write Flood Relief in the memo line and mail to: United Way of Southeast Louisiana ATTN: Flood Relief, 2515 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119
WAITR, INC.: A Louisiana-based company, is mobilizing its team in south Louisiana to help those affected by the flood. Waitr is working with its restaurant partners to stage a drop-off point for donated supplies and basic human necessities. The company is calling on all to donate basic supplies, such as canned food, toiletries, clothing, bedding, and anything that may help flood victims. Waitr is utilizing more than 300 drivers to get supplies to those in need. Four donation stations have been set up and will take donations Tuesday, Aug. 16 and Wednesday, Aug. 17, 1-7 p.m. The locations are as follows:
Lake Charles: Luna Liva, 411 Ryan St., Lake Charles
Lafayette: Waitr Lafayette office in the LITE Center, 537 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette
Baton Rouge: Walk-Ons Bistreaux and Bar, LSU location, 3838 Burbank Dr., Baton Rouge
New Orleans: O’Henry’s, 8859 Veteran’s Memorial Blvd., Metairie
SHELTER LOCATIONS AND EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS[52]
Copyright 2016 WAFB[53]. All rights reserved.
References
^ geauxbbb.org (geauxbbb.org)
^ www.give.org (www.give.org)
^ Details here (www.wafb.com)
^ http://www.100blackmenbr.org/about/fundraisers/ (www.100blackmenbr.org)
^ www.assesstheneed.com (www.assesstheneed.com)
^ http://www.apeledcators.org (www.apeledcators.org)
^ braf.org (braf.org)
^ http://www.cauw.org/donate (www.cauw.org)
^ www.CAABR.org (www.CAABR.org)
^ GoFundMe (email.robly.com)
^ Amazon Wish List (email.robly.com)
^ here (sendgrid.dnc.org)
^ http://ebrcoa.org/ (sendgrid.dnc.org)
^ www.familyroadgbr.org (www.familyroadgbr.org)
^