WDSU Helps Provide 660,000 Meals For Hurricane Laura Victims

Hurricane Laura, a category 4 hurricane, hit the coast of Louisiana, roughly half way between New Orleans and Houston, on Aug. 27, causing wide-spread destruction, and forcing many to evacuate to New Orleans.

“Our community knows how devastating it can be to lose everything in a hurricane,” said Joel Vilmenay, WDSU’s general manager.

So on Friday, Sept. 4, WDSU, Hearst’s NBC affiliate in New Orleans, organized a Day of Giving telethon for Second Harvest Food Bank, raising $165,000, enough to provide 660,000 meals to those families directly affected by the hurricane.

“The residents of Southeast Louisiana are always willing to help those in need and WDSU is proud to help connect our generous community to the victims of Hurricane Laura,” said Vilmenay.

Working in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, WDSU’s Day of Giving telethon raised funds via phone, website and Facebook for the relief effort in Southwest Louisiana. The donations collected will go toward food, water, and cleaning supplies for families as they reclaim their homes.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of WDSU and this community,” said Natalie Jayroe, Second Harvest Food Bank’s president.

“Helping our neighbors in need is truly a community effort and it is heartening to hear the stories of so many who want to pay it forward.”

WDSU and Second Harvest Food Bank have worked together on several relief endeavors.  The success of this partnership has helped to raise millions of dollars that are reinvested in the local community and severely impacted communities across south Louisiana.

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