Lafourche Parish officials have received an overwhelming number of requests for the best avenues to donate to the Hurricane Ida relief efforts. Parish officials have already begun working with local non-profit organizations to help funnel donations to the community.
Bless Your Heart Nonprofit Corporation will be accepting monetary donations as well as items such as cleaning supplies, non-perishable food items, water, industrial garbage bags, toiletries, baby items, and wasp spray. They will coordinate donation events in Lafourche Parish in the near future. If you would like to donate items, please submit information on your donation using bit.ly/LafourcheIdaRelief. Monetary donations can be made on Venmo (@blessyourheartnonprofit) or via Paypal (blessyourheartnonprofit@gmail.com). For questions, contact Danielle Trahan at (985) 413-4624 or email blessyourheartnonprofit@gmail.com.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is also coordinating donations of food, supplies, and money, as well as volunteers. You can sign up to donate or volunteer at CatholicCharitiesHT.org/Ida.
Additionally, the Bayou Community Foundation is able to funnel larger monetary donations to various nonprofit organizations throughout the Bayou Region. Nonprofits can apply for grants and donors can give online at BayouCF.org.
Other avenues for donations and volunteers are Volunteer Louisiana, American Red Cross of Louisiana, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, and Second Harvest Food Bank.
Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson said, “Thank you to everyone for their effort over the last few days. The community has come together in the most fantastic way to help with recovery throughout Lafourche Parish. The residents of Lafourche are second to none.”
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre also cautions donating to an unknown source, especially individuals. “Scam artists use disasters to take advantage of honest, generous people,” said Sheriff Webre. “Only donate to verified, trusted sources such as ones identified by local, state, federal officials. If we are made aware of any fraudulent activity, we will fully investigate with the possibility of criminal charges.”