ALEXANDRIA, La. (BP) — At the drive-through for a hot meal from a Southern Baptist feeding station, a woman said to a volunteer, “The Southern Baptists are always here when we need them ….”
Many of the volunteers with the Louisiana feeding unit in Baton Rouge — operating from a vacant field next to the Salvation Army headquarters in the state capital — set aside their own personal loss to join the team of responders.
Three other Baptist feeding units also were stationed in Baton Rouge — and 12 in all statewide — representing Louisiana and several other Baptist state conventions.
For the Louisiana unit in Baton Rouge, working in cooperation with the Salvation Army, meal counts have been increasing with every meal. As Salvation Army trucks carry meals to distribute, they are finding a climbing need for food and water in the early days of recovery from Hurricane Gustav's impact on the city Sept. 1. Food prepared by the Baptist unit is being distributed by the Salvation Army in as many as 15 different locations to families and relief workers.
The Louisiana team's task has not been without challenges from fuel shortages, location changes and rain. Yet, focused on serving others, team members share with people they are there to share Christ's love.
On site with the Louisiana team are two chaplains to help families who come to the drive-through and need assistance. Frustration continues as power remains out in many parts of the city. “I have no water, no food, I need help,” said one man who walked by the feeding unit site. Chaplains pray with families, share the gospel and provide them with information on where they can find assistance.