As flood victims begin the difficult task of cleaning up and assessing the damage, a need for box fans has emerged.
As relief centers across the parish collect food, water, house wares and cleaning supplies, box fans have been in short supply. The Joe LeBlanc Food Pantry and Sanders Machine in Sibley are now drop off points for anyone who wishes to donate a box fan. Jessica Lewis, executive director of JLFP, says fans can be dropped off at their 408 Broadway office, and if the office is closed, she can have someone there very shortly to take their donations.
At Sanders Machine, anyone wishing to donate a box fan, can do so at their 200 Corporate Drive address in the South Webster Industrial Park from 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Rickey Sanders, owner, says these fans are needed to help flood victims speed up the drying process inside their home.
“It will certainly help to keep the mildew down in flooded homes,” Sanders said.
Diana Sanders, Rickey Sanders’ wife, says they are taking fans until they are no longer needed.
Lewis says an American Red Cross representative came by Wednesday asking for a list of needs.
“We gave them a list of things such as tarps and fans, and he gave a list of things he could get but fans are not available anywhere,” she said. “We could go somewhere and purchase fans, but as far as disaster relief centers, they don’t have box fans. That is a major item a lot of people are asking for but have not been able to get at disaster relief centers.”
A fan drive developed from this need, and JLFP and Sanders Machine became drop off points, she said. Lewis says, if needed, they will come pick up fans if people cannot drop them off.
To drop off a fan at JLFP, call Lewis at 318-465-6726 or go by their office. To donate a fan at Sanders Machine, they may do so between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information there, call 371-1040.