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LAPLACE – In the wake of the severe damage suffered by schools from Hurricane Ida, Louisiana Federal Credit Union (FCU) has provided affected classrooms with much-needed school supplies.

The credit union delivered pirogues filled with 10,126 school supplies items to 12 classrooms in southeast Louisiana—including Riverside Academy and Emily C. Watkins Elementary. The recipients were nominated by community members during Louisiana FCU’s annual Pack the Pirogue supplies drive.

Erin Jung’s classroom at Riverside was one of the many structures damaged by the Category Four storm. Jung says the donation will help to restock her classroom with supplies students need.

“The kids lost a lot,” said Jung. “This helps me replenish supplies for them.”

Hurricane Ida’s estimated damage tally of $95 billion would make it the seventh costliest hurricane to hit the U.S. since 2000, according to AccuWeather.

“Families are experiencing enough burden as it is,” said Rhonda Hotard, president and CEO of Louisiana FCU. “This is one small way to help alleviate the financial pressure.”

“It’s stressful for kids to come to class feeling like they’re not prepared,” said Jung. “We’re really appreciative of everybody who donated to make this possible for them.”

Pack the Pirogue attracted thousands of donations from credit union staff, members and local businesses, such as CBSL Transportation Services, Denka Performance Elastomer, St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office, Evonik, River Place Behavioral Hospital and All Star Electric.

Louisiana Federal Credit Union is a full-service not-for-profit financial institution serving more than 34,000 members in the River Parishes, Tangipahoa and Ascension Parish region. For more information about the credit union, visit www.LouisianaFCU.org.