SULPHUR — An Indiana-based nonprofit organization that helps veterans is responding to their very first natural disaster.
The Journey Home's Veterans' Mobile Disaster Response Team is in Southwest Louisiana to help with recovery efforts following Hurricane Laura.
Their main mission is to help veterans who are now experiencing homelessness because of the storm.
The disaster response team is also assisting veterans with meals and cleanup.
"[Elderly veterans] have trees down and other needs that they can't do themselves," said Eldon Solomon, clinical director and CEO of The Journey Home. "They served us. It's time for us now to serve them."
The staff and volunteers with The Journey Home are also partnering with Henning Memorial United Methodist Church, Carpenters House Global and Bales Environmental Services to host a daily food distribution site and donation drive.
Hot meals and cold drinks are served at the intersection of Ruth and E Elizabeth streets behind Henning Memorial in Sulphur.
Lunch is served at 11 a.m., and dinner is served at 5 p.m. until supplies last.
Those volunteering their time are also picking up debris, and storm victims are encouraged to ask for help.
"People are going through a lot, and when I was in Hurricane Michael and other hurricanes, I could go on and on, and the suffering and the frustration of living in a facility without air conditioning or electricity," said John McDonald, part owner of Bales Environmental. "We just want to serve and try to help during this time, this very desperate time, sensitive time, that people are going through and try to help a lending hand where we can."
If you'd like to get in touch with The Journey Home or if you're interested in volunteering, you're asked to call their central office at 765-595-8297 or send them a message via their website.
