Southwire to Host Flood Relief Supply Distribution in Baton Rouge

Aug 24, 2016

As historic levels of rain and rising floodwaters have impacted many citizens in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Southwire’s Project GIFT will host a supply distribution on Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28. The distribution will be held in the Home Depot parking lot on Coursey Boulevard in Baton Rouge.

Southwire Company, LLC (Southwire) is one of North America’s largest wire and cable producers. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment and hand tools. The company maintains a strong commitment to sustainability, specifically in the realm of Giving Back.

Project GIFT, Southwire’s non-profit, volunteer organization, was founded in 2005 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Ten volunteers traveled to Waveland, Miss. to assist with Christmas on the Coast, providing needed supplies and holiday gifts to affected families. Since that time, the organization has grown to now more than 700 “Blackshirt” volunteers across the Southwire footprint.

“Project GIFT began as an outlet to serve those suffering in the wake of disaster, and we continue to focus our efforts in that same spirit of giving back,” said Kristian C. Whittington, Southwire’s manager of employee engagement and communication and Project GIFT coordinator. “Many of our employees and friends in our Southwire communities have families in the Louisiana area who have been displaced through flooding and devastation, and we want to do what we can to help.”

The distribution event will run from 7AM – 7 PM during the two-day event, while supplies last. Items to be distributed will include bottled water, paper goods, cleaning supplies, nonperishable food, baby items, pet supplies, personal hygiene products, ice chests and more.

“We did not see this coming. Areas that have never flooded were inundated with rain and remain soaked, and homeowners with no flood insurance have flooded homes,” said Elisabeth Prescott, partner at Kean Miller LLP in Baton Rouge. “People who have never needed the help of others now rely on the kindness of others to help them demolish and rebuild. As a native of Southwire’s headquarters of Carrollton, Georgia, I am moved by, and am so thankful for, Southwire’s commitment to helping the people of my adopted home, Baton Rouge.”

For additional information about the distribution event, please visit Southwire on Facebook or call the Project GIFT hotline at (770) 832-4729.