Donate To Help the People of Louisiana through Aidmatrix 

Release Date: September 13, 2008
Release Number: 3295-018

BATON ROUGE, La. -- The devastation caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike across Louisiana is the worst since the concentrated devastation from Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. Communities and towns across the southern half of Louisiana are still without power and in need of food, water and building supplies. Since Gustav and Ike passed, nonprofits and faith-based organizations have been working alongside state and federal officials to bring relief and comfort to the affected citizens.

To help these organizations meet growing critical needs, the state has established, through the Aidmatrix Foundation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a donations' Web site at www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/fema. It connects donations directly to people in need through Emergency Managers, Louisiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (LA VOAD), National VOAD, and FEMA.

"Please donate your time and money to aid in the recovery efforts," said Mike Manning, President of LA VOAD.

The Aidmatrix Foundation points out that during times of disaster cash donations allow nonprofits to quickly purchase the supplies they need. The donations portal lists 58 VOAD charities accepting cash donations to benefit Louisiana victims.

The site also lists needs of VOAD organizations, the quantities needed and the need priority. Baby formula, diapers, water, ice and canned goods are urgently needed. Manning said, "By helping donors target their giving to meet the greatest need, Aidmatrix minimizes the problems caused by well-meaning donations of items that are not needed."

The Aidmatrix Network is a national disaster relief coordination system funded by FEMA, The UPS Foundation, Accenture, and the Aidmatrix Foundation, Inc. to manage unsolicited donations and volunteers.

For the latest information on the recovery from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, visit www.emergency.louisiana.gov.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Sunday, 14-Sep-2008 15:31:39