HARAHAN, La. (WGNO) — As hurricane season approaches, local organizations are hoping for the best but are preparing for the worst. Second Harvest Food Bank volunteers are starting early, creating 1,000 Abbott disaster relief boxes.
Box after box was packed as Second Harvest volunteers prepared for what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expects will be an above-normal hurricane season.
Partnering with Abbott and Feeding America, volunteers packaged 1,000 disaster packs that will go to families affected by hurricanes, severe weather events or other natural disasters across Louisiana.
“You are never sure where a disaster is going to hit and how it is going to hit. These disaster boxes are going to come in handy. So, we are preparing them now so when the need arrives, we are going to be ready to deploy them,” said Chief Strategy Officer for Second Harvest Food Bank John Sillars.
Each relief pack can feed a family of four for three days and does not require warming or refrigeration.
“We want to give them some glimmer of hope to prepare them in advance. We are packing nutritional bars, Pediasure for adults and children, as well as Pedialyte for rehydration solution,” said Senior Manager of Global Citizenship for Abbott Cynthia Jones.
Senior Director for Feeding America Jerod Matthews explains that families are the most vulnerable following disasters, which is why they’re committed to being there every step of the way.
“In those first 24 hours, it has a huge impact on their lives. Our experience of learning with Abbott out of Katrina and being proactive instead of reactive and having products available and nutrition-able for children and families in the area,” said Matthews.
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