Catholic Social Services and Nutritional Development Services are organizing shipments of food and clothing to aid in relief efforts.

In the wake of Hurricane Ida’s devastation, Catholic Social Services (CSS) and Nutritional Development Services (NDS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are taking action. These agencies are providing relief assistance to impacted individuals and families in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, which is located in southeastern Louisiana.

Hurricane Ida ravaged Louisiana and the Gulf Coast resulting in great loss of life and property. Most Reverend Shelton J. Fabre, Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, and those he shepherds are facing the daunting task of rebuilding in the months ahead. Temporal needs throughout the region are varied and vast.

CSS will supply hundreds of new essential men’s and women’s clothing items including footwear, undergarments, pants, t-shirts, pajamas, fleeces, socks, and more essentials to benefit the victims of this natural disaster.

NDS will donate nearly 5,000 pounds of food for those in need of nourishment including non-perishable items, dry goods, proteins, bulk items, and disposable items. The items will be sent by NDS through regional broadline distributers located near the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

All items donated will be received by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for distribution to those in need.

Those interested in helping can support the efforts of Catholic Charities USA, the official domestic relief agency of the United States Catholic Church, as they respond to the immediate emergency needs for necessities such as water, food, shelter, financial assistance, crisis counseling, medical care, and aid in long-term rebuilding and recovery efforts. Individuals may contribute directly by visiting https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/.

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Editor’s note: Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS) offers community-based and residential programs and services to support men, women and children in need as an expression of the charitable works of our local Church throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. To learn more about CSS programs that serve a wide variety of human needs, please visit https://cssphiladelphia.org/.

For over 47 years, Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s (NDS) mission has been to serve children and those in need with healthy food. NDS accomplishes its mission in two distinct ways: by administering the federally-funded child nutrition programs and through the privately supported Community Food Program. For more information about NDS, please visit http://nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org/.

Attached are pictures for publication purposes with credit to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Image one depicts numerous boxes of the new clothing items being donated by CSS.  Image two depicts NDS driver, Don Devlin, loading up donations to be sent to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.