How to donate to the Louisiana flood victims from The Gayly’s region

by Sara Ritsch
Staff Writer

If you haven’t heard it on the news – which may be the case – tragedy has struck Louisiana yet again, this time in the worst natural disaster since Superstorm Sandy. The 2016 Louisiana flood has taken at least seven lives, while displacing over 20,000 people in Ascension Parish, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and surrounding areas.

Residents have either permanently or temporarily lost their homes, their pets and their families. The mainstream media has only given minimal coverage. But so far, the glue that holds the community together has been social media.

Posts updating each other on their whereabouts, shares of missing persons and animals, information as to how to document lost items and protect yourself from asbestos when cleaning damaged homes have circled the web, possibly aiding hundreds of people affected by the floods.

But there is still a very high need for people outside of Louisiana to help. National organizations such as the American Red Cross are accepted blood and monetary donations, while shelters in Louisiana are accepting necessities like food and toiletries.

You can help people affected by the flooding in South Louisiana by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. The Red Cross is equipped to move goods, but money is always the most transferable product.

·        Adult and infant diapers – there are never enough

·        Medical supplies

·        Wheelchairs

·        Walkers

·        Pillows

·        Blankets

·        Cleaning supplies (think flood relief)

·        Toiletries, pads, tampons

·        Toothbrushes  

·        Pet food, pet supplies

·        Shoes (new or nearly new)

·        Most places are not accepting clothing at this time

You can donate by mail to:

American Red Cross
P.O. Box 37839
Boone, IA 50037-0839

Donations can also be mailed to:

United Way of Southeast Louisiana
ATTN: Flood Relief
2515 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70119

To donate to United Way of Acadiana, text FLOOD2016 to 41444.

Or donate by mail:
United Way of Acadiana
215 E. Pinhook Rd.
Lafayette, LA 70501

Disaster Services for Volunteer Louisiana always needs a hand. Reach out at http://volunteerlouisiana.gov/disaster-services/donate/. Donations to these organizations will be spent exclusively on local needs.

Louisiana State University’s Zeta Phi Beta sorority has started a GoFundMe account for victims of the Baton Rouge flood. They hope to raise $10,000 to donate $500 to each family or student affected.

In Oklahoma, the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief of Oklahoma is sending 60 volunteers, a shower unit and a large feeding unit, capable of providing 30,000 meals per day to the displaced flood victims.

The Oklahoma Blood Institute is collecting donations as well. Its locations are as follows:

In Oklahoma City, Lize McDonald is making a trek down to Baker, Louisiana within the next two weeks. To contribute to her haul, you can drop off your donations at Other Options & Friends Food Pantry, who is accepting donations at:

Other Options & Friends Food Pantry
3636 NW 51st St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73112

Or contact McDonald by phone at (817) 789-7348.

In Missouri, Convoy of Hope is accepting monetary donations at www.convoyofhope.org. Convoy of Hope President and Co-Founder Hal Donaldson said in a statement Monday, “A truckload of food, water, cleaning supplies and hygiene kits has already been delivered and is being distributed. An additional two loads of relief supplies will arrive in the affected areas later today.”

An Arkansas doctor is driving to Denim Springs, LA on Saturday. She is accepting further donations of food, water, paper products, toiletries, diapers, wipes, baby formula, pillows, blankets, cots, detergent, cleaning supplies and tools. You can drop them off at:

Crye-Leike Realtors Bryant
4000 Highway 5 North
Bryant, AR 72022

To jump on board in Kansas or Amarillo, TX, contact your local Red Cross.

If anyone has more information on how to donate directly from Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri or the Texas Panhandle, pleasecontact TheGaylyat sara@gayly.com or robin@gayly.com.

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If you are in Louisiana and have lost a pet or found a displaced animal, you can visit www.caabr.org for the following resources:

“Lost pet owners and finders should put the information on Lost Pets of Baton Rouge on Facebook.  Look at Visitor Posts for recent activity.  There are also Lost Pet pages for Zachary and Central.  Learn more about reuniting pets and families on our Lost and Found Pet page. 

“We desperately need temporary fosters. Contact foster@caabr.org or call 225 774 7701.

​“We always appreciate donated supplies delivered to the shelter (leashes, treats, toys) or monetary donations.”