Photos from Trip
Snapshot of Louisiana’s Children
Prior to Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, families and children in Louisiana faced tremendous challenges
- In 2004, 28% of Louisiana’s children lived in poverty (ranking it 49 th out of all states in per capita child poverty rates)
- Nearly 320,000 children in Louisiana were at risk of hunger before Katrina hit
- Louisiana ranks 48 h among states in infant mortality rates per capita
- In 2004, only 12% of eligible children were receiving the summer meals they were entitled.
Relief and Recovery for Families After Hurricane Katrina
Hinges of Hope – Overview of Relief and Recovery Efforts
The Hurricane Katrina Displaced Residents Fund benefits individuals and families evacuated to Baton Rouge from the hurricane impacted areas in Greater New Orleans, who are now unable to return for what may be an extended period. Early offical estimates suggest that as many as 250,000 displaced individuals may be required to remain in Baton Rouge for up to six months, and they will face numerous challenges related to housing, food, education, healthcare and basic survival necessities. This fund supports those entities and programs in the Baton Rouge area that endeavor to meet these critical needs as well as the impact that the influx of residents will have on the Baton Rouge community.
The Baton Rouge Area Foundation also established The Hurricane Katrina New Orleans Recovery Fund which is focused on the rebuilding of infrastructure to provide basic human services to residents of these devastated areas. As the Greater New Orleans Foundation has now established their Rebuild New Orleans fund, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation has closed this fund to new donations and is working to establish a contractual relationship with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to assist in the distribution of donations already collected. Grants from this fund will focus on attempting to provide resources to programs and efforts that positively impact the quality of life of the area's residents, and contribute to the overall rebuilding of critical service delivery mechanisms in the Greater New Orleans area.
The Greater New Orleans Foundation has established the Rebuild New Orleans Fund designated for the relief, recovery and betterment of the community. This fund will focus on three principles: creating an infrastructure of a community that works for everyone, rebuilding a better New Orleans than the one we left, and honoring our social contract to involve the Greater New Orleans community in the process.
Learn More
Find out how Share Our Strength is supporting hurricane relief and recovery efforts by making grants towards: