During such uncertain times, we all feel the need to pitch in. Sometimes we don’t know how.
The United Way is heartbroken that we cannot be together for Day of Caring Minden and Shreveport-Bossier this year due to COVID-19. However, our local nonprofit partners still need your help! Whether you’re a Day of Caring volunteer veteran or just getting to know United Way, here’s how you can give back:
Thank you for being #UnitedFromHome!
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA – NORWELA COUNCIL — norwela.org: Cleaning supplies, gloves, masks, hand sanitizer, copy paper, toilet paper, bottled water, antibacterial hand soap, first aid supplies, bleach and 50-gallon trash bags.
The items may be delivered to the Boy Scouts office located at 3508 Beverly Place, Shreveport, LA 71104. Donations can be accepted during office hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
CADDO COUNCIL ON AGING — caddocoa.org: For our Meals on Wheels program: disinfecting supplies (wipes & sprays), disposable masks and gloves.
Drop-offs can be made at 1700 Buckner, #240, Shreveport, LA 71101 from Monday – Thursday from 8 a.m.to 2 p.m. Contact Monica Wright at 318-676-7900 or mwright@caddocoa.org to schedule a time to drop donations off.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF NORTH LOUISIANA — ccnla.org: Hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, disposable masks (hundreds of them) and disposable gloves.
Donations can be dropped off at the organization’s office located at 331 E. 71st Street, Shreveport, LA 71106 on Mondays from 1-4:30 p.m.. If possible, please wear gloves and a mask to protect high-risk staff members who may be collecting the donations.
CHRISTIAN SERVICE PROGRAM — christianservicela.org: To-go plates, cups, plastic cutlery, bottled water, hand sanitizer and masks.
Donations can be accepted at 2346 Levy St., Shreveport, LA 71103. Please call (318) 221-4857 to let staff know that you are dropping off a donation.
COMMON GROUND COMMUNITY —commongroundshreveport.com: Food Items: Canned proteins (tuna, chicken are preferred), pasta and rice (one-pound packages work best), canned vegetables (green beans and corn are by far the most popular, accepting all), canned spaghetti sauce, soup and stews (chicken noodle & chili without beans are most popular), cereal (any type), dried beans, individually packaged soap.
Items for Children’s Activity Bags: Crayons, activity books, learning books, coloring books, new or very gently used books, flash cards, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, small playdough, gallon zip lock bags, PPE, gloves, masks and sanitizer.
Donations can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 6806 Southern Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71106. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Lauren Slack at 318-464-8750.
COMMUNITY FIRST HIGH SCHOOL – communityfirsthighschool.com: 60-75 protective facial masks, protective gloves, hand sanitizer, facial tissue and individual wipes.
Mr. Garrison Peters will gladly meet anyone with donations at the school’s location of 202 Miller Street, Minden, LA 71055, and he/she may email Mr. Peters at communityfirstt@gmail.com and/or call him at (318) 519-6520 to arrange pick up date and time.
EVERGREEN LIFE SERVICES – evergreenls.org: N95 masks, gowns, gloves – (small, medium and large), face shields, paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex, laundry detergent, adult diapers, shampoo, dishwasher detergent and personal hygiene products.
Items for activities in the homes – Card games, simple board games, electronic games like Simon Says, horseshoes, bocce ball, black felt posters and colored pens, etc.).
To coordinate a drop-off or pick-up, please call Cathey Crow at 318-529-8264 to ensure the items will be collected. Drop-offs will be made at 2101 Hwy. 80, Haughton, LA 71037, or Ms. Crow will pick up the items from you.
GEAUX 4 KIDS – geauxbags.org:
Pajamas (all sizes and genders), diapers (all sizes), baby wipes, teen (boy and girl) pajama sets (small, medium, large), snacks and shampoo (sulfate free) large size.
Drop-offs can be made at 1513 Doctors Drive Suite 100-B, Bossier City, LA 71111. There is a bench by the door with a liftable lid where items can be placed or email Jessica Yeates at jessica@geaux4kids.com to schedule a time to drop donations off.
GIRL SCOUTS OF LOUISIANA – PINES TO THE GULF – Pines to the Gulf – gslpg.org: Sunscreen lotion, composition books, pencils, washable markers, paper sacks/lunch bags, glue sticks, construction paper, envelopes and stamps, scissors, protective eye masks, beakers and test tubes, gloves, face masks, acrylic paints and paint brushes.
Any donations can be dropped off at our office located at 3921 Southern Ave Shreveport, LA 71106. There will be a grey bin available out front to place donations in for easy drop-off. From Monday to Thursday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Franchesca Posey can be contacted at 800-960-2093 with additional questions.
HEART OF HOPE - SANCTUARY FOR WOMEN – heartofhopela.org:Highchairs, new car seats (government guidelines prohibit used car seats), activity centers/ jumpers/bouncers (new or gently used), diapers sizes 3-4-5, pack and play sheets, strollers (new or gently used), humidifiers, teething rings and ointment, children spillproof sippy cups, children soft bowls/spoons/forks, health/safety/nail kits, thermometers, cocoa butter, electric pencil sharpers and gift cards (retail, fast food, groceries).
Items can be dropped off at Heart of Hope office Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The office is located at 10420 Heart of Hope Way, Keithville, LA 71047. When you come through the gates, the administration is in the gym building. Heart of Hope will be happy to assist you with other arrangements and if you have any questions, feel free to call Debbie at 318-925-4663.
HOLY ANGELS – laholyangels.org: Paper towels (standard rolls – not used in automatic dispenser!), disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, and mold and mildew remover.
Individuals may drop off items at the Guard House located at the main gate of our campus located at 10450 Ellerbe Road, Shreveport, LA 71106.
MARTIN LUTHER KING HEALTH CENTER – mlkhealth.org: Copy paper.
Individuals may drop off items at the center located at 865 Olive St. Shreveport, LA 71104.
PLANT A SEED IN OUR YOUTH FOUNDATION – pasyf.org: Hand sanitizer, hand wipes, disinfectant wipes, disinfectant spray, disposable gloves and bleach.
Donations can be accepted at 1518 Cox St., Bossier City, LA 71111. Please call (318) 212-0029 to let staff know that you are dropping off a donation.
PROVIDENCE HOUSE – theprovidencehouse. com: Lysol, bleach, more disposable masks (we will be wearing these for a while), gloves, paper towels and toilet paper.
Currently, these items can be donated to 814 Cotton Street, Shreveport, LA 71101. Anything that is not cleaning supplies will not be accepted until after May 15, when the shelter-in-place order lifts. Until then, any other donations can be made to our green drop boxes that are located throughout the city. The list of the locations of these is on our website.
RENESTING PROJECT – renestingprojectinc.org: Masks, toilet paper and hand sanitizer (smaller containers). To confirm a staff member will be available to accept donations, please call Noel
To confirm a staff member will be available to accept donations, please call Noel Haacker at 318-747-5520. Donations can be accepted on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 1331 Driftwood Drive, Bossier City.
SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER RESCUE MISSION – sbrescuemission.com: Toilet paper and paper towels.
Contact Sarah Ardis at (318)227-2868 ext. 103 to coordinate dropping off these essential needs at 901 McNeil Street, Shreveport, LA 71133. The organization is trying to limit food traffic and are asking everyone who has access to utilize their Amazon Wish List, which can be found on their website above.
Shreveport Bossier Rescue Mission has established a prayer team. Prayer requests can be received at prayer@sbcrescuemission.com.
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA NORTH LOUISIANA – voanorthla.org: Digital stick thermometers, Digital forehead thermometers, small bottle hand sanitizer, alcohol wipes or disinfectant wipes, and spray disinfectant.
Items may be dropped off at 360 Jordan St. Shreveport, LA between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday-Friday.
WEBSTER COUNCIL ON AGING: Dryer sheets, laundry detergent, toothpaste and toothbrush, toilet paper, paper towels, bath soap, men’s razors, Kleenex and hand sanitizer.
The items may be delivered to the Webster Council on Aging building located at 1482 Sheppard St., Minden, LA 71055. Donations can be placed in the rear of the building on the back patio in a collection tub marked for United Way donations.
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE July 31 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB - THE INQUISITOR.