Volunteers, Victims Numerous at New Disaster Relief Center

The parking lot at the new temporary Second Chance location on Reynolds Street in La Grange was full Thursday morning. People in search of clothing, shoes, toiletries, water and other commodities streamed in and out of the large metal building which is slated to become the new permanent home of the Amen Food Pantry. 

Volunteers greeted them as they arrived, offering water or soda and directing them to the entrance.  Indeed, depending on where one looked, volunteers appeared as almost as numerous as arriving flood survivors.

Inside, clothes and shoes were  laid out on long rows of tables. The shoe section seemed to be popular. One display featured new containers of shampoos, lotions and cosmetic supplies “all donated in the last two and a half days,” one volunteer said. 

Many people were in family groups, carrying, leading or rolling small children or babies. They entered empty-handed, but emerged carrying armloads or trashbags full of  supplies to help tide them over the disaster following the last week’s flood.