Local Red Cross volunteer spends week helping in Louisiana

Early estimates predict the massive relief effort in Louisiana could cost at least $30 million.

Red Cross spokeswoman Nancy Malone said some frustrated volunteers were confusing the charity with local partner groups and that there were liabilities to accepting cooked food that did not come from certified vendors.

The American Red Cross says donations are urgently needed.

The group will spend the next two weeks helping people get back on their feet in Baton Rouge. We’ve had help in Iowa at times when we’ve had these disasters.

Now, the Red Cross needs some help of its own. “However, not almost enough donations are coming in to cover the cost, so we are sounding the alarm, urging people in this country to remember the folks in Louisiana and make a donation today”.

Those who are willing and able to help can donate by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Four volunteers from the American Red Cross flew out of Des Moines. In partnership with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, four kitchens are cooking meals. More than 7,000 people remained in Red Cross and community shelters Tuesday night and thousands more are without power in hot, humid conditions.

“We’ve heard these stories of people that were monitoring the area, then all of the sudden, the waters rose so quickly”, said Jennifer Pennington, the executive director at Red Cross of Augusta.

More information about donations and volunteering for the Red Cross cab be found on the agency’s website.

“Pretty much every home has some kind of damage to it”. Where possible, the Red Cross is beginning to distribute food and relief supplies.

Amber Finley told us about the people she met, people in the midst of misery, doing what they can to survive. They can use the app’s “I’m Safe” button to connect with their loved ones.

The best suggestion, at this time, other than financial donations, is to stop by the shelter you’re wanting to help and ask them what they need, first. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers to perform its mission and is now seeking volunteers for all lines of service and leadership positions.