September 20, 2021
Material donations continue to lag
Over $500,000 in supplies distributed to affected communities with new relief pop-ups on tap
- Financial giving strong as calls for material donations grow
- Ida Relief Fund makes significant progress in supporting local communities and partners in need
- Volunteers needed to support new regional relief pop-ups
NEW ORLEANS – United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) announced Monday it has received over $2.2 million in donations for its Hurricane Ida relief efforts, supporting affected communities, partners and United Ways across Southeast Louisiana and beyond.
The donations include over $1.2 million in gifts from over 2,400 donors and $1 million worth of meals and materials from Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., which sent 150 crews to Louisiana to help restore power in the immediate wake of Ida.
“As gifts and donations continue to come in, United Way is moving as quickly as possible to distribute those goods and resources to our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Michael Williamson, UWSELA President and CEO. “And while the financial response from donors has been tremendous, we still have an urgent need for material donations. We need diapers. We need cleaning supplies. We need mucking and gutting materials so we can continue to give away the most requested items at future relief pop-ups.”
As Hurricane Ida recovery progresses, supply needs evolve as well, yet material donations continue to lag as residents return to the region. UWSELA once again encourages public donations of the following items:
- Mitigation supplies: blue plastic tarps, rolled plastic, hand tools (e.g., hammers, skill saws, prybars), plastic storage totes, plastic bags, work gloves, cleaning rags, detergent, disinfectant, bleach, mops, brooms, plastic buckets, scrub brushes, dust masks, shovels, rakes.
- Infant items: baby formula, diapers, baby wipes.
The main drop-off location is open at 2515 Canal St., New Orleans, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Monday-Thursday. Northshore drop-off is available by request via email to missyr@unitedwaysela.org.
Hurricane Ida Relief Fund Progress
UWSELA launched the Hurricane Ida Relief Fund before the storm made landfall in anticipation of significant devastation. Within a week, team members deployed on the ground, coordinating
with local officials to identify and respond to needs throughout its seven-parish region of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes.
To date, UWSELA has:
- Released $350,000 to its seven-parish service area to provide immediate resources including supplies, financial and legal assistance.
- Granted $30,000 in immediate crisis support to area United Ways serving Assumption Lafourche, St. Charles, St. John, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes
- Hosted 11 relief pop-ups which provided 6,700 meals from local restaurants, 2,100 gift cards and over 10,000 supplies to community members.
- Shifted programmatic grant funding to partners in need of additional support to address relief and rebuilding needs.
- Delivered over $135,000 and counting in mitigation supplies to hard-hit areas.
- Mobilized volunteers through the United Way HandsOn Entergy Volunteer Center to complete 745 hours of service generating over $18,000 in community savings.
- Coordinated hundreds of thousands of dollars in public and corporate supply donations to reach struggling families.
Call for Volunteers
UWSELA continues to call for volunteers to help with supply giveaways at regional relief pop-ups. Six new pop-ups will be hosted the week of Sept. 20, with volunteer opportunities still available at five locations across south Louisiana. Must be 12+ and satisfy COVID-19 requirements. View open shifts, register and read full eligibility requirements at UnitedWaySELA.org/volunteer.
To learn more about UWSELA’s relief efforts or make a gift, visit UnitedWaySELA.org/IdaRelief.
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About United Way of Southeast Louisiana
For almost 100 years, United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) has been a leader and trusted partner in improving lives and making a lasting difference. We fight to eradicate poverty by preparing people for quality jobs, growing incomes, and affording better health and education opportunities throughout Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. We have a bold vision of equitable communities where all individuals are healthy, educated, and financially stable – and we have a plan. United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Blueprint for Prosperity guides all strategic investments in programs, initiatives, collaborations, volunteerism, and advocacy aimed at tackling poverty. For more information, please visit UnitedWaySELA.org. Find us on social: @UnitedWaySELA.
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