RESERVE — The St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District is teaming up with area churches to collect supplies for hurricane relief.

Touching the Hearts of Texas will accept donations through Thursday.

Donations will be accepted at all St. John the Baptist Parish school sites during school hours and at New Rescue Mission Baptist Church at 361 E. 14th St. in Reserve from 5 to 7 p.m. each day.

Donations can also be dropped off on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of the new St. John the Baptist Parish Administrative Building at 1801 W. Airline Dr. in LaPlace.

Needed items include non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, water, toiletries, baby formula, baby diapers and wipes, blankets, teddy bears and school supplies.

Checks for monetary donations should be made payable to Second District Missionary Baptist Association with “Relief Fund” in the memo area.

ST. CHARLES PARISH COLLECTING SCHOOL SUPPLIES

St. Charles Parish residents may begin donating school supplies to the victims of Hurricane Harvey at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center at 274 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway in Luling and the Allen Arterbury Building, 14564 River Road in New Sarpy.

The drive ends Friday.

St. Charles Parish government is partnering with the New Beginnings Ministerial Alliance, the United Way of St. Charles and Walmart in Luling to conduct the drive.

“Hurricane Harvey ruined the first month of school for many children,” said Executive Director of Community Affairs Dwayne LaGrange. “As a parish widely-known for putting an emphasis on education, we want to make sure that these kids have everything they need to start off what has already been a difficult school year. ”

Deemed as the worst disaster in Texas history by FEMA Administrator Brock Long, Major Hurricane Harvey made landfall on August 25 in Rockport Texas and has since devasted several parts of the state with catastrophic flooding. Most notably among the areas affected areas was the city of Houston whose public schools were scheduled to begin the week of the storm’s landfall.

Drop off times for the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center and the Allen Arterbury Building are from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.