United Way of Northeast Louisiana Receives Donations to the UWNELA Flood Response & Recovery Fund from Brookshire Grocery Company,  Monroe Symphony Orchestra, and Progressive Bank

United Way of Northeast Louisiana recently accepted the following generous donations to the UWNELA Flood Response & Recovery Fund:

Brookshire Grocery Company: $5,000

Monroe Symphony Orchestra (MSO): $2,500

Progressive Bank (not pictured): $11,000

THANK YOU to each of these awesome organizations for being committed to helping people and improving our community.

Top Photo (from left): Amey Crousillac, Director of Resource Development, United Way of Northeast Louisiana; Tim Hurts; Super 1 Foods, West Monroe; Kathy Lenard, United Way of Northeast Louisiana Board of Directors; Kenny Arron, Brookshire’s, Sterlington/HWY 165;  Donnie Byars, Northeastern Louisiana Regional Manager, Brookshire Grocery Company; Mike McCoy, Super 1 Foods, Louisville Avenue; Sharon Boyett; Brookshire’s, North 18th Street; Leo Stevenson, Brookshire’s, West Monroe; Janet Durden, President, United Way of Northeast Louisiana; Bill Braggs, Brookshire’s, Desiard Street. 

Bottom Photo (from left): Graham Abell, Monroe Symphony Orchestra (MSO) Board of Directors; Janet Durden, United Way of Northeast Louisiana; Aleta Eley, MSO Board of Directors

The UWNELA Flood Response & Recovery Fund was established to accept donations to support immediate response and long-term recovery efforts following the March 2016 flooding. As of June 10, 2016, the UWNELA Flood Response & Recovery Fund has raised over $350,000 for disaster assistance. Dollars are over and above the United Way’s Annual Campaign and no administrative charges have been taken. 

Previous contributions were made by these generous organizations: ATMOS Energy Corporation, Cara’s Boutique, CenturyLink, The Gannett Foundation and The News-Star, Gardner Denver Thomas, Graphic Packaging International, JPMorgan Chase, Mulhearn Funeral Home, Scott Powerline & Utility Equipment, LLC, and Thomas & Farr Agency, Inc.

For more information about the UWNELA Flood Response & Recovery Fund, visit these helpful links:

Donate Now to the UWNELA Flood Response & Recovery Fund

Learn More about the UWNELA Flood Response & Recovery Fund

Read the Flood Response & Recovery Fund Daily Bulletin

Visit Our Media Room

Long-Term Recovery Group Works Together to Help NELA Residents Recover from March 2016 Flood

United Way of Northeast Louisiana convened and is providing staff support for the Long-Term Recovery Group to over 35 non-profits, faith based groups, and government entities committed to helping area residents return to their homes following the 2016 Flood. 

Pictured above: Representatives from FEMA, St. Vincent de Paul, Habitat for Humanities, ICNA Relief USA, Adventist Community Services, and United Way of Northeast Louisiana work together following a recent Long-Term Recovery meeting. 

New Macedonia Baptist Church Makes Donation to Flood the Love Community Donations Drive

THANK YOU to New Macedonia Baptist Church in Gilbert for collecting donations for the Flood the Love Community Donations Drive! Donations will be sorted and delivered to the United Way of Northeast Louisiana Donations Distribution Center. 

Pictured top photo (left to right): Janet Durden, President of United Way of Northeast Louisiana; King S. Dawson, Pastor of New Macedonia Baptist Church; Emma Dawson; Samuell Bryant; Alma P. Bowie; Tiona Harris; Samonte Bryant; Amey Crousillac, United Way of Northeast Louisiana Director of Resource Development; and David Joyner, Jr., United Way of Northeast Louisiana Flood Recovery Coordinator (front). 

All donations of goods to the Donations Distribution Center will be inventoried, sorted, and distributed to local non-profit agencies and faith-based organizations to help area families affected by flooding.

For more information about the Donations Distribution Center, or to arrange a donation of goods, contact Amey Crousillac, United Way of Northeast Louisiana Director of Resource Development, at 318-998-9227, or by email [email protected].

The Donations Distributions Center is part of United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s Flood Response and Recovery action, which also includes the UWNELA Flood Response & Recovery Fund, the Volunteer Community Connection, and the Flood Response & Recovery Daily Bulletin.

Thank you to the Monroe Symphony Orchestra for partnering with United Way of Northeast Louisiana for "Anchor in the Storm," a party benefiting the United Way of Northeast Louisiana Flood Response and Recovery Fund along with the Monroe Symphony Orchestra.

Join the MSO at the beautiful home of Ileta Rutherford and listen to the dulcet tones of Josh Madden, while enjoying the decadent delights of Wayne VS the Winnebago, delicious beignets from Castor & Chicory, and a specialty brew from Ouachita Brewing Company, all the while taking in the amazing bayou vistas of Bayou DeSiard.

Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. Tickets are available online at MyMSO.org or by calling (318) 812-6761.

UNITED WAY OF NORTHEAST LOUISIANA ANNOUNCES FLOOD THE LOVE COMMUNITY DONATIONS DRIVE TO COLLECT UNDERWEAR AND TOILETRIES FOR RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY MARCH FLOODS

Monroe, LA — United Way of Northeast Louisiana has partnered with Geneva Academy, Highland Park Baptist Church, The Lighthouse, Renewal Inc., Sparks Nissan Kia and the Radio People, for Flood the Love, a community donations drive to collect basics and toiletries to distribute to those affected by March flooding.

Items collected include:

Underwear, New, unopened packages only (Child sizes/Girls and Boys; Adult sizes/Women and Men)

Socks, New, unopened packages only (Child sizes/Girls and Boys; Adult sizes/Women and Men)

Feminine Hygiene Products

Shampoo and Soap

Toilet Paper

Deodorant

Donations can be dropped off at one of the following donations collection sites, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.:

Renewal Inc./The Lighthouse: 513 Sunnyside Drive, Monroe, LA 71203

Geneva Academy/Highland Park Baptist Church: 2507 Oliver Road, Monroe, LA 71201

United Way of Northeast Louisiana: 1201 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA 71201

Donations can be dropped off at one of the following sponsor donations collection sites (please check business hours for drop-off hours): 

Sparks Nissan Kia, 1100 Auto Mall Dr, Monroe, LA 71203

AETNA Better Health,  2400 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 200 Kenner, LA 70062

Air Service Professionals, 6611 Cypress St, West Monroe, LA 71291

Automated Imaging Systems (AIS), 105 Pine St, Monroe, LA 71201 

Bankruptcy Attorney E. Orum Young,  200 Washington St, Monroe, LA 71201

Brookshire Grocery Company 

Brookshire’s-Rayville: 1952 Julia Street, Rayville, LA 71269

Brookshire’s-Jonesboro: 325 East Main Street, Jonesboro, LA 71251

Brookshire’s-Columbia: 7713 HWY 165, Columbia, LA 71418

Brookshire’s-Desiard: 7920 Desiard Street, Monroe, LA 71203

Brookshire’s-North 18th: 1801 North 18th Street, Monroe, LA 71201

Brookshire’s-Farmerville: 1018 Sterlington Highway, Farmerville, LA 71241

Brookshire’s-West Monroe: 3426 Cypress Street, West Monroe, LA 71291

Brookshire’s-HWY 165: 4070 Sterlington Road, Monroe, LA 71203

Brookshire’s-Delhi: 903 Broadway, Delhi, LA 71232

Brookshire’s-Winnsboro: 533 North Front Street, Winnsboro, LA 71295

Burney’s Furniture, 3111 Louisville Avenue, Monroe, LA 71201

Copeland’s of New Orleans, Pecanland Mall Dr, Monroe, LA 71203

Eskamoe’s, 2800 Forsythe Avenue, Monroe, LA 71201 or 703 McMillan Road, West Monroe, LA 71291 

His and Hers Hip Hop Shop, 3201 Louisville Ave, Monroe, LA 71201 

Homes Plus, 904 Independence Dr, West Monroe, LA 71292

Jeff Guerriero "The Injury Attorney,” 2200 Forsythe Avenue, Monroe, LA 71201

Lee Edwards Mazda and Used Car Superstore, 2218 Louisville Ave, Monroe, LA 71201

Legend’s Pharmacy, 222 Bell Ln Suite 5A, West Monroe, LA 71291

MidSouth Medical, 107 Bridge St, West Monroe, LA 71291

Mr. Bail - Bail Bonds, 1004 Winnsboro Rd, Monroe, LA 71202

Wing Stop, 4920 Cypress St, Lot F, West Monroe, LA 71291 or 2340 Sterlington Rd, Monroe, LA 71203

Flood the Love is sponsored by Sparks Nissan Kia, AETNA Better Health, Automated Imaging Systems (AIS), Air Service Professionals, Bankruptcy Attorney E. Orum Young,  Brookshire Grocery Company, Burney’s Furniture, Copeland’s of New Orleans, Eskamoe’s, His and Hers on Louisville, Homes Plus, Jeff Guerriero “The Injury Attorney,” Lee Edwards Mazda and Used Car Superstore, Legend’s Pharmacy, Louisiana Corrugated Products, LLC,  MidSouth Medical, and Mr. Bail - Bail Bonds.

Thank you, sponsors, for helping collect donations for Flood the Love!

Donations will be collected until community needs are met and will be distributed to those affected by flooding through local non-profit agencies and churches following the drive. Pick-up locations for Flood the Love donations will be announced after distribution points have been identified.

Flood the Love t-shirts are also available for sale at teechip.com/floodthelovenela. All proceeds benefit donations purchases for Flood the Love.

For more information about Flood the Love, contact Aleta Eley at 318-805-1695 or visit unitedwaynela.org/floodthelove. 

For more information about United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s role in Flood Response and Disaster Recovery, visit unitedwaynela.org/relief, or contact Janet Durden, President of United Way of Northeast Louisiana, at 318-325-3869, or by email at [email protected]. 

United Way of Northeast Louisiana, Food Bank, and Children’s Coalition Partner for Kickoff to Disaster Response & Recovery Action Supported by the UWNELA Flood Response & Recovery Fund

United Way of Northeast Louisiana (UWNELA), in partnership with the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana and the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, launched disaster response and recovery action supported by the recently established UWNELA Flood Response & Recovery Fund at a special event held at the Food Bank in Monroe earlier this week. During the event, non-profit disaster relief agencies, including Care & Hope in Morehouse Parish, Ray of Hope in Ouachita Parish, and Broken Wings in Union Parish received donations of critically needed goods, including emergency food boxes, bottled water, infant formula, diapers, and wipes that will be distributed to residents in the community affected by recent flooding.

Each disaster food box includes ingredients to make several nutritious meals, including pasta and sauce, beans and rice, corn muffin mix, canned fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, peanut butter, jelly, soup, applesauce, and other staples. Disaster food boxes will be available to the public through the Food Bank’s network of partner agencies located in the disaster declared parishes.

The need for diapers and wipes is critical. These infant necessities are not covered by DSNAP or WIC, and parents need a sufficient supply to keep their infant or toddler clean, dry and healthy. To serve immediate needs, the Children’s Coalition will begin distributing diapers and wipes internally through program partners such as Monroe Housing Authority, Early Steps, the American Red Cross, and the Department for Children and Families. 

As the Child Care Resource and Referral for Northeast Louisiana, the Children’s Coalition will also provide diapers and wipes to families affected by the flood through a regional network of child care centers and family child homes that accept publicly-funded children. Diapers and wipes were also distributed to flood-affected families during the annual preschool round-ups that took place in Morehouse and Richland parishes in early April.

All remaining diapers, wipes, formula and disaster food boxes will be available to the public through these distribution sites:

Ray of Hope (Ouachita Parish), 1935 Winnsboro Rd., Monroe, LA

Broken Wings Mission Center and Thrift Store (Union Parish), 303 N Main St., Farmerville, LA

Care and Hope Ministry (Morehouse Parish), 2038 East Madison Ave., Bastrop, LA

Caldwell Baptist House of Hope (Caldwell Parish), 103 Adams St., Columbia, LA

The UWNELA Flood Response & Recovery Fund was recently established to accept donations to support immediate response and long-term recovery efforts following the March 2016 flooding. It has continued to build momentum in the days since its launch, raising a total of $274,829 as of April 5. United Way of Northeast Louisiana recently kicked off funding from the UWNELA Flood Response & Recovery Fund with launch grants focused primarily on infant needs and food, two of the most urgent community needs identified by 211 callers.

Giving methods:

Donations can be made online at unitedwaynela.org/relief    

Donations can be made by texting FLOOD to 40403

Donations can be mailed to United Way at 1201 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA, 71201. Please indicate a donation to the UWNELA Flood Response and Recovery Fund in the memo of your check/money order.

Donations can be made by credit card by calling United Way at 318-325-3869.

All funds received will be used for flood response and recovery efforts and managed by volunteers. Every dollar contributed to the United Way of Northeast Louisiana Flood Response and Recovery Fund will be used for flood disaster relief and recovery in Northeast Louisiana. No portion of contributions will be used for overhead or administration.

For more information about the United Way of Northeast Louisiana Flood Response and Disaster Recovery Fund, visit unitedwaynela.org/relief, or contact Janet Durden, President of United Way of Northeast Louisiana, at 318-325-3869, or by email at [email protected].

About the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana

The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana is a membership-based, local non-profit dedicated to creating communities where children and families thrive. We address the needs of children and youth ages 0-18 in four main areas: Early Care and Education, Healthy Living, Parent Education and Youth Development. In addition to Early Head Start, a United Way agency, the Children’s Coalition provides services in support of children and families as the Child Care Resource and Referral and Family Resource Center for northeast Louisiana. To learn more about the programs and people who make up the Children’s Coalition call 318-323-8775 or visit us online at http://www.childrenscoalition.org.

About The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana

The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana is a charitable, not-for-profit organization that solicits, stores, and distributes food to partner agencies, children and seniors in 12 Parishes in Northeast Louisiana. Together, as a hunger-relief network we serve over 42,600 people annually. The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana is a member of Feeding America and a United Way Partner Agency. To learn more about how you can help, please visit www.fbnela.org.  Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

About United Way of Northeast Louisiana