Second Harvest of Acadiana is asking for help to replenish its stock of bottled water.
You can help by bringing donations of water to the Lafayette Second Harvest facility, 215 E Pinhook Road, Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Recently, Second Harvest Food Bank of Acadiana delivered more than 110,000 bottles of water to Lake Charles-area residents impacted by last week's winter storm, as well as 34,000 bottles of water to neighbors in North Louisiana who are also without drinkable water.
"We sent 18 pallets of water from our Lafayette facility to Shreveport today," said Second Harvest Regional Director Paul Scelfo. "North Louisiana has had our backs so many times, going back to storms like Hurricane Rita, and we were honored to be able to answer the call for help."
Second Harvest is now seeking the public's help with donations of bottled water. Bottles can be any size, including 16 and 20 ounce bottles, as well as gallons. Scelfo and Jay Vise, Communication Director for Second Harvest, say it will be quite a while before safe drinking water is available for all Louisiana residents.
"Over the last twelve months we have been dealing with this pandemic like everyone else and we have seen the need increase about 80% over what we usually do across South Louisiana and throughout Acadiana," explained Vise. "In addition to that, we've had three hurricanes and now this latest emergency that has hit us. We are very grateful to be in a position to be able to help people despite all of these emergencies and in the middle of these emergencies."
Second Harvest also distributed 1,500 prepared meals to homeless and displaced residents displaced by the freeze in Acadiana.
"This is yet another disaster to impact our area in the middle of the ongoing pandemic response. Our team will continue to do everything possible to help the most people, as well as to fight the everyday disaster of hunger," he says.
Monetary donations are also encouraged, with every $1 raised helping to provide four meals.
"We could not do it without the public's help. Thank you to everyone, to anyone, who has done anything for us. Thank you for your support," added Vise.
