It seems Louisiana cannot catch a break.
As repairs from 2005 Hurricane Katrina are still in the works, the Pelican State was hit with yet another natural disaster. On August 13, 2016, 11 people were killed when tumultuous rain flooded the state, dropping three times as much rain on Louisiana as Hurricane Katrina, according to National Weather Service records. For those that were fortunate enough to still have their homes, they are now dealing with expensive gut renovations due to mold and other harmful bacterias. More than 60,000 residents were left homeless, seeking refuge in nearby shelters.
The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank also suffered greatly from the excessive flooding. As they usually distribute 10 million pounds of food each year for free to the local residents, it was devastating for the community to lose one of the places they could always lean on during a time of need.
Photo: The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
Nonetheless, after losing their entire facility, the food bank still found a way to distribute food to those in need from safe temporary spaces. A few special food bank employees kept working through all the challenges, reassuring the community that they were still there for them to lean on. They were so committed to the cause that none of them took a day off even while dealing with their own personal setbacks from the flooding aftermath.
Photo: Mc Suhocki / TODAY
Costello Robinson, the food bank's transportation manager, lost the back portion of his home to the floods. He told TODAY, "I was basically worrying about my mother. I wasn't too concerned about the water. That's material things. I can get that back." Robinson went on to express how important the food bank is in his family lives. "All my [10-year-old] daughter knows is the Food Bank. The Food Bank has always been there for me, so I'll always be there for the Food Bank."
Photo: Mc Suhocki / TODAY
Fred Thomas, a food bank driver, lost a lot of personal belonging to the floods, including furniture, home appliances and two cars. He and his family, his wife and two sons, returned home but are sleeping in air mattresses. He explains that he is grateful to be working for the Food Bank and serving families in need. He told TODAY, "…But with me, the blessing in the storm was the food bank was never destroyed just as bad as my house. It never stopped rolling. It never stopped feeding people.”
Photo: Mc Suhoki / TODAY
Johnny Hernan, also a Food Bank driver, recounted the floods taking the family's rental home, two cars, clothes and personal belongings away from him, his wife and their seven children. Hernan explained to TODAY that he had to reassure his family during such a difficult time that everything will work out. He said, "As long as me and your mama can open our eyes and go to work in the morning, we in fairly decent health, don’t worry about it. You all got a long time before y’all start depending on your all self. Depend on us. We got you.”
Walmart heard the stories of these selfless employees and wanted to help them the same way they committed to helping their families and communities. A group of employees invited the workers and their families to what they thought was an ordinary luncheon.
It was anything but.
After enjoying a pleasant meal, the families were led to an empty room in the warehouse that was covered from top to bottom in holiday decorations, with an abundance of presents stuffed under beautiful Christmas trees. Walmart employees entered the room pushing shopping carts filled with bikes, electronics, kitchen supplies and so much more to help these families get back on their feet. In addition, Walmart gave each family a $2,500 gift card.
Photo: Mc Suhoki / TODAY
The Walmart Foundation went on to donate $100,000 to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank on top of the already $100,000 they donated after the floods back in August 2016. They also went on to donate office supplies that were lost during the floods.
Thank you Walmart Foundation for giving these families the Christmas they deserve.
*If you would like to donate to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, visit brfoodbank.org for more information.*
