DISASTER SERVICES

Disaster Volunteer Opportunities

Below is a listing of current volunteer needs related to Hurricane Laura recovery. Please contact the organizations directly if you are intersted in volunteering. Also note that recovery from a major storm, such as Laura, will take a very long time and volunteers will be needed in the weeks, months, and even years ahead.

* Watch a brief video or read some guidelines on how to volunteer safely during the COVID-19 situation

SOUTHWEST/LAKE CHARLES AND SURROUNDING AREAS

* Eastwood Cares: looking for volunteers to help at their distribution site, 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm; sign up to volunteer here or contact Lindsay Lopez at LindsayLopez1@gmail.com or 812-350-1784

* Mercy Chefs: looking for volunteers to help serve hot meals at Life United Church in Lake Charles. Sign up here

* Salvation Army: looking for volunteers to support mobile distribution of hygiene kits and food boxes on Thursday/Friday at the Lake Charles Civic Center and Saturday/Sunday at the Lake Authur High School. Sign up here

* Samaritan's Purse: is looking for volunteers to help with disaster recovery efforts in and around the Lake Charles area, sign up here

* SBP: is looking for volunteers to help with Hurricane Laura rebuilding efforts in Vinton, LA, sign up here

* United Way of Southwest Louisiana: volunteers are needed to help with the Huricane Laura Relief Center and other hurricane recovery projects, sign up here

ACADIANA AREA

* Catholic Charities of Acadiana: looking for volunteers to sign up now to be a Disaster Response volunteer so they can mobilize quickly as the need arises. Sign up here

* United Way of Acadiana: looking for volunteers to sign up now to help with disaster recovery needs as they arise. Sign up here

* Second Harvest Food Bank: currently looking for volunteers to help pack meals for hurricane response. Sign up here

* St. Joseph Diner: currently looking for volunteers to assist with food preparation. Sign up here

CENTRAL LOUISIANA

* United Way of Central Louisiana: looking for volunteers to sign up to help with disaster recovery; please contact Suzy Smart at suzy@unitedwaycenla.org

NEW ORLEANS AREA

* HandsOn New Orleans: is utilizing volunteers to help with evacuee resource needs in New Orleans, to help, sign up here

* Second Harvest Food Bank: currently looking for volunteers to help pack meals for hurricane response, sign up here

NORTHEAST LOUISIANA AREA

* United Way of Northeast Louisiana: looking for volunteers to help with debis clean up, sign up here

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

* Red Cross of Louisiana: Is looking for volunteers to support a variety of needs with the Hurricane Laura recovery, learn more here

* United Cajun Navy: is looking for volunteers to help with unloading and sorting donated items at 9550 Dawnadele Ave in Baton Rouge; Volunteers are needed daily from 8am to 5pm; sign up here

* Volunteer Ascension: volunteers are needed to help with their supply drive, sign up here

FOR HURRICANE SURVIVORS

* For information on individual assistance such as feeding needs, personal items, and sheltering, please dial 2-1-1

* If you are in an Parish that was approved for Disaster Assistance through FEMA call 1-800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov

- To search for a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), click here

* Disaster Legal Helpline: 1-844-244-7871 available M-Fri from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; online intake available24 hours per day/7 days per week at www.slls.org .

FOR VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS

Volunteer Toolbox: The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) has drafted a Volunteer Toolbox resource for non-profits utilizing volunteers in times of disaster.

Volunteer Hours Tracking: Please see the links below to download GOHSEP forms to track volunteer hours.

Volunteer Forms - Daily

Volunteer Forms - Weekly

Volunteer Forms - Equipment

Volunteer Forms - Materials