Private, public agencies keeping Morgan City fed

Like thousands of east St. Mary residents, Leo White had a rough Wednesday night.
Sitting in his car Friday at the head of a line at Holy Cross Catholic Church, White pointed halfway up his shin to show how high Hurricane Francine pushed water into his home in the 1000 block of Morgan City's Marshall Street.

The storm ruined furniture, badly damaged one vehicle and pushed water into two others. In the back seat was neighbor James Breaux, who said the roof of the bathroom at his Marshall Street home was caved in.

But for all the recovery work ahead, they had something to look forward to Friday: a hot meal, and maybe some cleaning supplies.

Catholic Charities of the Houma-Thibodaux Diocese, with help from Holy Cross and Sacred Heart volunteers, was offering drive-up gifts of food and cleaning supplies. Meanwhile, across town, Louisiana National Guard troops and more volunteers distributed food, ice and water from the state government at Morgan City Municipal Auditorium.

At the auditorium, the National Guard troops were set for drive-through distribution noon-6 p.m. Friday with plans to return 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. Sunday plans are uncertain, said 1st Lt. Payton Pilgrim of the Guard's 199th Brigade Support Battalion, 256th Brigade Combat Team.

The Guard came prepared to distribute 10,000 MREs, the nonperishable meal packets created to feed troops in the field. They're good for 15 years.

And the Guard may need them. By the time the point of distribution had been open an hour, cars were lined up in the right lane of westbound U.S. 90 for nearly a mile. In true military fashion, barricades and signs were set up to keep the line orderly, with help from from Morgan City police.

Forty-two Guard troops were on hand for the distribution along with local volunteers .

"This is what you sign up for," Pilgrim said. "You can help the community."

The Catholic Charities distribution at Holy Cross grew out of a desire to help by members of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Chackbay less than 24 hours before Friday's noon distribution, said Catholic Charities board Chairman Travis Chiasson.

Bourgeois Meat Market in Thibodaux donated meat for the jambalaya meals, 500 of which were ready to be served Friday. Local merchants donated bottled water.

The Knights of Columbus joined the effort, and the cooking started at 6 a.m. Friday.

Cleaning supplies were also being distributed. The work at Holy Cross was handled by volunteers from Catholic Charities, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Holy Cross and Sacred Heart.

"A lot of people who came out to help feel grateful they're in a good place after the storm," said the Rev. Patrick Riviere of Holy Cross.

"God brought it together," Chiasson said.

Elsewhere, the Mercy Chefs were ready to hand out hot meals at 5 p.m. at the main fire station at Fourth and Canton in Berwick.

The American Red Cross will serve hot meals 5-7 p.m. Friday at Morgan City Municipal Auditorium.