For those who live in areas impacted by hurricanes, this time of year always carries a little extra awareness and weight. At the Three O’clock Project, we are remembering our lessons learned one year ago following Hurricane Ida. Our most valuable takeaway is that working together as a collective holds infinitely more power than working alone. While our core mission is to ensure kids have access to healthy meals, we recognize that we also live in an area that must be ready for natural disasters. We are thankful to be in a position to pivot when needed, and help take care of not only children in need, but our community as a whole.
Last August through December, our team started mass feeding 72 hours after Ida made landfall. We immediately sourced food from vendors out of state until our partners in Louisiana were able to come back on-line for emergency response. This was done with the help of partners like Sprouts, Fresh Food Factor, Capital Area United Way, GOHSEP, Gourmet Gorilla, YMCA of the Capital Area, Selah Productions, Catholic Charities, Berean Bible Church, Parish Leadership across 8 impacted parishes, and more. Three O’clock Project was able to contribute to relief efforts for months after Hurricane Ida with shared funding, volunteers, and over 20 dedicated emergency employees who faced incredible challenges while accessing far-reaching neighborhoods along the Bayou. While we are proud of our efforts and those of our community, that isn’t what this blog is about. This blog is about how relief work turns to recovery which brings continued awareness of the impact storms like Ida have on vulnerable communities statewide.
As we reflect during this day of remembering, our team offers endless gratitude to all who share in boots-on-the-ground efforts during times of crisis and especially to those who join us in continued relief and recovery efforts. We thank those funding organizations who have supported our ability to work alongside communities in rural, suburban, and urban centers beyond the storms. We also highlight and thank those organizations who provide services 365 days a year to individuals and families who need continued support to get their life back after a natural disaster, emergency, or life event.
A quick list of a few of the many resources available to you in Louisiana for food security in hard times: