Shreveport Volunteer Network Needs Help Prepping for Winter Storms

Last winter, a severe Winter Storm ripped through Shreveport and wreaked havoc on infrastructure, leaving residents without power and water. Community groups and individuals from across the community stepped up and helped find and distribute resources to those in need. This year, Shreveport Volunteer Network and ReForm Shreveport are teaming up for a Winter Weather donation drive which will help build a store of supplies which can be deployed to at-risk communities more quickly in the event of a weather emergency.

The drive will take place Saturday, January 15, 2022 from 10am until 2pm behind Summer Grove Baptist Church at the corner of Stutson Street and Southside Drive in Shreveport. “When times get tough, sometimes we have to lean on our neighbors and our community to get the job done,” said Tommy Giles, co-founder of Shreveport Volunteer Network. “By gathering these resources ahead of time, we are all helping to reduce the response time of community organizers which reduces the pain that people go through in an emergency.”

Mutual aid projects like these have popped up in communities across the country which allowed neighbors to more quickly respond to their neighbors calls for assistance during times of crisis such as the pandemic and emergency weather events. “Last year, we saw how effective mutual aid programs like this can work,” said LeVette Fuller, co-founder of ReForm Shreveport. “What we want to do is make sure Shreveport is a community that is more prepared in advance to help our neighbors than we were in 2021 by gathering the necessary supplies in advance.”

Organizers are looking for specific food items including bottled water, canned soups with pop tops, granola/protein/fruit bars, peanut butter crackers, and shelf stable baby food. In addition to foodstuffs, cold wear items such as beanie caps, winter gloves, unused socks, fleece blankets, and hand warmer packs are high on the group’s priority list. Flashlights, batteries, weather radios, tote bags, and first aid kits are also requested.

Monetary donations can also be made at any time to the Winter Preparedness Fund at SVN's Website which will be used to purchase bulk items for distribution during times of need. Shreveport Volunteer Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Learn more about preparing your family and neighborhood for emergencies by visiting www.ready.gov.