Cajun Navy continues disaster relief efforts in Lake Charles

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - A Louisiana disaster relief group is continuing its efforts in Lake Charles to help people still feeling the effects of Hurricane Laura.

The Cajun Navy Foundation was started after the state was ravaged by the 2016 floods. Since then, the organization has helped in many natural disasters.

Founder Rob Gaudet says volunteers were on the ground a day before landfall and immediately went to work clearing roads. “We chose a community in north Lake Charles called Goosport, and we worked on it for about five days there,” Gaudet says. “We had about 75 volunteers and divided them into teams of five to do that.”

Gaudet says they were also able to move into an undamaged restaurant building and provide meals to families.

“Friday, we served 3,000 meals. Saturday, we served 4,000. Sunday, we served 4,000 meals. We have a great little system going. We actually do a drive-thru carhop type thing where cars pass in front of the building, and they roll the window down. We hand it to them and keep going. That’s how we’re able to serve so much food in such a short amount of time.”

The Cajun Navy also set up a supply donation drop-off site for families to get much-needed supplies. Supplies are even driven out to remote communities for the elderly and people who can’t get out of their homes.

Gaudet says they plan on continuing their efforts “as long as the momentum is on our side. We are a volunteer-run organization. If people stop volunteering, we can’t do without volunteers. So, as long as volunteers show up and help, we’ll continue to do this.”

Even though many people are helping donate gas cans and other items, more will be needed as they continue to supply meals and other necessary items to families still in the dark.

“Gas, ice chests, flashlights. Can openers are something you don’t think about, but if you have an electric can opener, it’s useless right now. So, think about things people need when they don’t have electricity when you donate.”

You can click here to donate items and click here for the Cajun Navy Foundation website.

Copyright 2020 KNOE. All rights reserved.