As Louisianans, we know what it feels like to get hit hard during hurricane season. Our fellow Americans need our help. Natchitoches is participating in a statewide donation drive to help Hurricane Maria survivors in Puerto Rico. The drive is limited to specific items to ensure that the donations from across the state are collected and shipped as quickly as possible to the people of Puerto Rico. Donations will be received at Westside Baptist Church, located at 6438 Hwy. 1 Bypass in Natchitoches.
Dates and Hours of Operation for Natchitoches Parish
Monday, October 2, 2017, 8 a.m. – Noon
Tuesday, October 3, 2017 8 a.m. – Noon
Wednesday, October 4, 2017, 8 a.m. – Noon
Thursday, October 5, 2017, 8 a.m. –Noon
Monday, October 9, 2017 8 a.m. – Noon
Tuesday, October 10, 2017, 8 a.m. – Noon
Wednesday, October 11, 2017 8 a.m. –Noon
Thursday, October 12, 2017 8 a.m. – Noon
Residents of the City and Parish can help by donating:
Diapers
Non-perishable formula
Baby wipes
Bottles and nipples
Feminine care products
It is important to ONLY donate the items on the list.
Gov. John Bel Edwards has directed the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), with the help of local emergency management directors, to lead a statewide donation drive to help Hurricane Maria survivors in Puerto Rico. Maria’s hurricane force winds whipped through the island and knocked out most forms of communication, while heavy rain caused severe flooding and has put a major dam at risk of failure. Thousands have been left without power or access to basic survival provisions like food, water and medication.
Donation drives, at times, can cause more burden for a disaster area if a planned system is not used from start to finish. Keeping the initial statewide drive limited to specific items will make shipping the donations easier and will speed the delivery of the items to the people of Puerto Rico. The donation drive may continue in the future with additional items should that support be needed.
For more information please contact:
Pastor Steve McAlister (318)352-2383
Mary Jones, Assistant OEP Director (318)471-2942
Deputy Lamarr McGaskey (318)471-3104