NEW ORLEANS - The start of spring and thoughts of summer have some area charities worried and they say it's the most vulnerable in our area that could suffer.
When Habitat for Humanity is around, it is hard to hear much else other than hammering--the sounds of volunteers tapping away at the start of a foundation for a new home and new beginnings.
"Without giving back, we kind of loose that sense of humanity," said Matt Vaughn, a biology major at the University of Alabama, who is spending his spring break volunteering in New Orleans.
He and other spring breakers like him represent the biggest boost in volunteers for the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity.
"Then, as we get into summer months, hurricane season begins, it starts to get hot, everybody starts to do summer vacations and our volunteer numbers drop," said Aleis Tusa, spokesperson for New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity.
For area charities, summer can often bring with it a host of setbacks. For local food banks, donations are usually down. Not to mention, children who rely on free or reduced meals during the school year, are still in need of the nourishment when school lets out for the summer.
"So we're hoping to reach out to 750 children this year," said Natalie Jayroe, President/CEO of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana.
Jayroe hopes to start a community kitchen that would deliver fresh meals to children this summer. Second Harvest Food Bank is now in the process of trying to rent out the necessary space in hopes of later building a permanent facility.
"The potential is immense," said Jayroe. "Next year when we have a kitchen of our own, an industrial kitchen, we could be talking about 10,000 meals a day during the summer."
And it is donations, especially in the summer months, that will help them get there.
Back under the sun, in the 9th ward, it is volunteers that will help Habitat.
"It's not just helping a single family, it's also helping a community rebuild," said Nastashia Stokes, an AmeriCorps Volunteer from Texas, who is also a native New Orleanian.
And the experience, say volunteers, leave you with plenty of memories and moments to build on.
"When people band together that's when we're the closest," said Vaughn.
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Below is a listing of area charities and homeless shelters. Clicking on the blue text will open up the provider's webpage in a separate window.
1201 Sams Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70123-2236
(504) 734-1322
New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity
7100 Saint Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118-3542
(504) 861-2077
2475 Canal Street Suite 300
New Orleans, Louisiana 70119
(504) 821-4496
Donations requested: blankets, comforters, bedding, and cash for emergency housing
843 Camp Street
New Orleans, LA 70130-3751
(504) 523-1184
New Orleans Mission
1129 Baronne Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70113
For donations by check, please mail to:
New Orleans Mission
P.O. Box 56565
New Orleans, LA 70156
Donations Requested:
linens (for twin beds), bath towels, paper plates, cups, bottled water, hygiene, cleaning supplies, new Bibles, new underwear, t-shirts and socks
