METAIRIE, La. – An estimated 2,000 items have been collected so far this week after the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans began collecting food and supplies for victims of the devastating Louisiana floods.
The teams, both owned by Tom Benson, are accepting donations on behalf of the American Red Cross, the United Way and the Second Harvest Food Bank of New Orleans – and staff members have been dispatched to volunteer with each of those organizations throughout the week.
@Saints @PelicansNBA putting in work! #flood pic.twitter.com/X5KG7faW2n
— Michael Williamson (@UWSELA_CEO) August 19, 2016
The collections will continue next week, when the Saints return home from training camp and begin holding practices at the team facility in Metairie.
Other efforts are likely to be announced in the coming days.
“It is tragic what has happened and is happening across so much of our region and state now. The thoughts and prayers of our organizations are with the thousands of victims affected by the flooding,” Benson said in a statement released by the team earlier this week. “The Saints and the Pelicans, as we have done before in times of need, will be here to help in countless ways. We strongly encourage those that are able to do so donate their time, necessary relief items and, if able, financially.”
This is the second time the Saints have been involved in flood relief efforts this summer. Their training camp is located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, a small town that was also devastated by flooding this summer. And when the Saints arrived, the entire team and staff spent an afternoon helping to restore a park and some homes.
Saints punter Thomas Morstead announced Friday that his foundation is getting involved in relief efforts, as well.
My foundation is providing relief to children affected by the flooding.
— Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) August 19, 2016
More information visit https://t.co/fYo9KPWPSe #LouisianaStrong
Although the Saints haven’t been back to Louisiana yet this week, players are well aware of the devastation – as running back Mark Ingram discussed on ESPN Radio.
