[Update: Local United Ways have established a disaster fund, the Greater Acadiana United Way Disaster Fund, to consolidate resources in an 11-parish area.]
[Update: Local United Ways have established a disaster fund, the Greater Acadiana United Way Disaster Fund, to consolidate resources in an 11-parish area. To donate, log on here.]
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is making federal aid available to the state of Louisiana to supplement the disaster response as Isaac moves north and President Obama declared Louisiana and Mississippi major disaster areas. Local organizations are mobilizing as well.
Community Foundation of Acadiana has established the Hurricane Isaac Response Fund, which will connect donors in the area to storm victims. The Lafayette-based philanthropic agency has a fundraising widget on its website which can also be embedded on other websites. The widget is embedded beneath this story.
On Friday the Acadiana Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster, VOAD, will hold a meeting at the Immaculata Center in Lafayette to coordinate additional relief efforts in the region. A spokeswoman says the meeting was originally scheduled for Thursday, but VOAD officials want to give the American Red Cross and other agencies time to conduct a thorough assessment of disaster-response needs in Acadiana.
Donations to United Way's fund can be made here, or by visiting the following locations:
St. Landry/Evangeline United Way, 311 W Vine St., Opelousas (337) 942-7815
United Way of Acadiana, 215 E. Pinhook Road, Lafayette (337) 706-1229,
United Way of Iberia, 449 East St. Peter St., New Iberia (337) 364-0424
United Way for South Louisiana, 7910 Main St., Suite 460, Houma (985) 879-2461
In the meantime here in Lafayette, the public transit system is back up and running and Lafayette Consolidated Government offices are open. In other words, business as usual.
If you're reading this story on a device other than a desktop, or if for any reason the widget below isn't visible, log on to CFA's website to donate.