A multi-agency warehouse has opened at 9550 Dawnadele Ave., between Interstate 12 and Costco, to assist in bringing in much needed donations and supplies to support the recovery efforts across the state, The Associated Press reports.
Mike Steele, a spokesman for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, says the warehouse is being operated as a partnership with the state and the Louisiana Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster.
Steele says Adventist Community Services, a national and state VOAD partner, is managing the warehouse operations, supported by an AmeriCorps team.
The warehouse, which will receive donations between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Friday, will function as a centralized intake point for donations from local community members as well as businesses across the country, Steele says.
Donations will then be distributed to support the efforts of nonprofits, shelters, and parishes as they respond to the needs in their communities.
Steele adds that the warehouse does not need donations of new or used clothing. Instead, items such as canned or nonperishable goods, personal care items, work gloves, baby food formula, manual can openers, flashlights, new sets of pots and pans and kitchen items are needed.
Businesses and groups are being encouraged to put together truckloads of supplies. Donors are advised to look for a business or trucker willing to donate a trip since there’s no funding to pay for shipping, Steele says. A detailed inventory of truck contents, departure point, leave time and estimated time of arrival is needed to coordinate drop-offs, he adds. All truckloads of donations must be coordinated at least 48 hours in advance of arrival.
