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Latiya White, left, Gina Murray and Gina Holmes, members of Delta Sigma Theta Atlantic City, are in the French Quarter, almost empty as the city prepares to face tropical storm Barry Saturday in New Orleans , where sorority was holding its national congress. (Scott Olson / Getty Images)
As Tropical Storm Barry invaded the New Orleans area on Friday, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority made a difficult decision: to conclude its biennial national convention of 16,000 people earlier than planned. Then comes an easier decision: save the 17,000 uneaten meals from the convention for those affected by the storm.
Beverly E. Smith, National President and CEO of Delta Sigma Theta, said in an email that the sorority was "thrilled" to donate the food of a lunch and evening canceled, taken into charge by the company Centerplate.
"There was a disproportionate amount of food that would have been wasted. Well done to Centerplate, "said Smith.
The sorority, a predominantly black organization founded in 1913 by 22 women at Howard University, announced Friday the closing of the convention at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The national congress, which lasted until Sunday, was in its 54th year.
Amy Sins was contacted by the convention center and Centerplate to find a place to donate.
Sins, a New Orleans chef who has devoted his efforts over the last decade to recovery efforts around New Orleans, contacted the Second Harvest Food Bank, which sent one of his trucks refrigerators 24 meters to collect portions of macaroni and cheese, without flour. chocolate cake, potatoes au gratin and chicken.
The meals will remain in a Second Harvest freezer until the storm calms down, said Jay Vise, director of communications at Second Harvest Food Bank. The teams will then travel to New Orleans and surrounding areas to deliver hot meals.
"Having all those meals in advance is really a boon," said Vise.
Many people in the area have provisions in hand in case of floods such as floods, said Vise, but after a few days without adequate supplies, a hot meal can be extremely positive for a person who is out of power or housed in a house. a temporary shelter.
And food, foods like hot potatoes and chicken, rather than canned and sliced bread, can reassure those who have suffered losses during a storm.
"We're not just trying to feed their belly," said Sins. "We are also trying to feed their souls."
Sins knows the power of assistance, like a hot meal after a disaster. She lost her home at the 17th canal on New Orleans Street during Hurricane Katrina.
"A lot of people have helped me," Sins said. "And I always said that when I could get up, I would do everything I could to help others."
Read more:
Louisiana prepares for rain and wind while Barry encroaches on the Gulf Coast
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