13/09/05 Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Jefferson Parish

Thirty-eight cases of canned tuna fish, 122 cases of peanut butter, 60,000 bottles of water and 30,000 Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) are just a few of the hundreds of pallets of donated food that will care for the residents remaining in Jefferson Parish. Those who are holding out – unwilling to leave their homes despite a lack of running water and electricity – will be looked after.

Pallets of canned tuna, peanut butter, bottled water, franks and beans and MREs from the American Red Cross and other organizations and agencies are life-sustaining relief supplies for residents who remain in Jefferson Parish, Westwego, La., Sept. 9, 2005. (Photo Credit: Hugh Quinn/American Red Cross)
Pallets of canned tuna, peanut butter, bottled water, franks and beans and MREs from the American Red Cross and other organizations and agencies are life-sustaining relief supplies for residents who remain in Jefferson Parish, Westwego, La., Sept. 9, 2005. (Photo Credit: Hugh Quinn/American Red Cross)

Pallets of canned tuna, peanut butter, bottled water, franks and beans and MREs from the American Red Cross and other organizations and agencies are life-sustaining relief supplies for residents who remain in Jefferson Parish, Westwego, La., Sept. 9, 2005. (Photo Credit: Hugh Quinn/American Red Cross)
They may not have access to the Jefferson Parish government office any longer, but dedicated employees will not give up on their people. Mike Evans is overseeing the temporary operation. He estimates that in their city of what used to be 500,000 people, they may have about 15,000 still there.

“We have donations from the American Red Cross, Heart to Heart, FEMA, Christian organizations and law enforcement,” he said, “We’re all working together.”

Charlie Johnson – a giant teddy bear of a man – is also a Jefferson Parish employee. He and his co-workers are working hard to serve their shattered neighborhood. Charlie is keeping detailed statistics of contributions, as well as planning the logistics of distributing the critical supplies.

Under Johnson’s direction, they send two to three 18-wheelers into designated points in the neighborhoods, several times daily. His right-hand man, T.C. Hawkins, wearing his new title of warehouse manager, organizes the loading of the trucks containing: two pallets of MREs, two pallets of water and ice, a pallet of beans and franks and personal items such as diapers, toilet tissue and feminine hygiene products.

The items are being warehoused at an old Kmart in Jefferson Parish, just outside of New Orleans, Sept. 9, 2005. (Photo Credit: Hugh Quinn/American Red Cross)
The items are being warehoused at an old Kmart in Jefferson Parish, just outside of New Orleans, Sept. 9, 2005. (Photo Credit: Hugh Quinn/American Red Cross)

Red Cross workers at several distribution points, provide the meals and much needed information at the windows of cars in the newly set up “drive through” lanes.

The items are being warehoused at an old Kmart in Jefferson Parish, just outside of New Orleans, Sept. 9, 2005. (Photo Credit: Hugh Quinn/American Red Cross)

Evans explains that while the Red Cross and the employees of Jefferson Parish take care of the local residents, the people of the neighboring Parish are taking care of them, too.

“They are being terrific to us,” Evans said.

Evans, Johnson and Hawkins intend to return the favor. Even when they see the end of the need in their Parish, they will continue to take donations. As soon as they receive clearance, they will take the needed goods to help others who are still in need.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of this disaster and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.