Fellowship Coordinator Tom Avey sends the following Shreveport update:
With the arrival, training and deployment of our FGBC First Response Team in Shreveport, Louisiana, some of the immediate needs in the seven shelters began to be met quickly. Initial reports indicate that they have been well-received and are making an important contribution.
The crisis situation in the shelters has, to a great extent, been averted, although the situation continues to develop daily. The evacuee population in the shelters is dropping dramatically as more and more families are placed.
At the present time, it is estimated that the two volunteer teams will not need to be deployed, although no one is sure whether or not the shelter population will swell again as 1). the numerous local church and civic shelters tire of their ministry and send evacuees to the Red Cross, and 2). evacuees use up their FEMA/RC funds and have no place to go.
Because the situation continues to change daily, Dan O’Deens has asked us to maintain a database of potential volunteers to be called upon if the need arises.
If potential volunteers are serious about their availability to help, they should take steps to become DSHR Red Cross Volunteers through their local chapter. This may allow them to be deployed under the Red Cross, having all expenses covered by that organization.