‘Tis the giving season and United Way of Southeast Louisiana is giving some Tangipahoa Parish small business owners early holiday gifts.
United Way has donated $100,000 from its Flood Fund to the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) Rebirth Fund. Twelve Tangipahoa businesses impacted by the catastrophic August flooding have now received grants to help in their recovery and rebuilding.
Small business is the economic backbone of our community. That’s why United Way is proud to announce our partnership with LABI to provide financial assistance for flood recovery. We hope this donation can assist in getting business back on track and moving forward towards a more prosperous New Year.
In Tangipahoa Parish alone nearly 10,000 individuals have filed for assistance from FEMA and we are sure there are many more who were affected by the floods but did not file for help. Many businesses were also damaged, leaving them, their employees and the community in need.
To date, United Way has invested $500,000 grants for direct service and recovery for flood relief and dispersed $1.4 million worth of supplies to neighbors in need.
United Way was helping flood victims before the waters stopped rising. United Way opened a warehouse just two days following the declaration of emergency. Working with over 90 local groups – including many churches and organizations in numerous Tangipahoa towns – United Way was able to provide more than 1.5 million relief items to individuals and families. Those necessities included food, bottled water, cleaning supplies, toiletries, baby items, clothing and much, much more.
United Way has mobilized over 368 volunteers who have spent more than 2,100 hours mucking, gutting and cleaning up to help rebuild Tangipahoa Parish. Recovery is a long process but United Way will be here to help.
I again thank Tom Shaw for the video he had produced about our flood relief efforts. I encourage you all to view it one more time and share with family, friends and colleagues. http://www.unitedwaysela.org/flood
Happy holidays,
Michael L. Williamson
President & Chief Executive Officer
United Way of Southeast Louisiana