People who are most impacted by disasters know exactly what they need.
In response to Hurricane Laura and the needs we’ve seen in our local mutual aid group, we created the Emergency Cash Program to give a little boost to those who need it most right now. We’ve removed as many barriers as we can and are encouraging folks to use the cash for whatever they need at this time. As of October 1st, New Orleans is still a “home away from home” for 8,000 individuals who evacuated here to safety.
As of 12pm on Oct 10th, the program has reached its capacity and is no longer accepting applications. To date, the Emergency Cash Program has fundraised and committed $25,000 to individuals directly impacted by Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta.
- To receive updates if/when the Program reopens, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
- To help keep the program going, donate to the Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta: Relief & Recovery Fund here.
What is the Emergency Cash Program?
- A one-time cardless ATM cash payment of $40 for evacuated individuals to use for emergency funding.
- Though this is enough to cover gas money for a round trip to/from Lake Charles, the funds can also be used toward specific food, clothing, medicine, or whatever is needed most in this moment.
- The money for this program was raised by individual donors through our Hurricane Laura Relief Fund. It is NOT a government program and is not affiliated with the City, State, or hotel shelters.
- LIMIT: One per room, person, and phone number. While supplies last.
Who is eligible?
- Must have evacuated from Hurricane Laura to a hotel shelter in New Orleans; and
- Be temporarily housed in a hotel shelter room right now.
- Must have access to an SMS text-enabled phone.
- You do NOT need a bank account or ID to access funds.
How’s it work?
- Call 211, Press 9 for New Orleans, and tell them you need emergency cash assistance.
- Answer a few quick questions: name, date of birth, hotel name and room number, phone number.
- Receive a 4-digit PIN from 211. Write it down!
- Wait up to 48 hours for a text from our Imagine Water Works team.
The text will include: (1) an Order Number (2) an Order Amount of $40 and (3) a map link to our nearest approved cardless ATM. IMPORTANT: This will only work on specific ATMs. Make sure you are going to one that is on our ATM locator map. - Once at the ATM, press the “Cardless ATM” button at the bottom right of the screen. Then press “Cash Pickup”.
- The screen will prompt you to enter your phone number, the transaction amount ($40), the Order Number (provided in your text message), and your secret PIN (given to you by 211). Click HERE for more detailed ATM instructions.
- The ATM will dispense $40, and you’re good to go!
I couldn’t get through on 2-1-1. Help?
Here’s what to do if dialing 2-1-1 does not work for you OR if you want support in Spanish or Vietnamese:
- Call 504-269-2673.
- Press 5 for English, 6 for Spanish, or 7 for Vietnamese.
- Press 6 for Hurricane Laura referrals.
- Press 5 again for Hurricane Laura.
- Enter your current zip code, followed by the # key.
IMPORTANT: Use 70130# for New Orleans. - You should then be connected to a Specialist.
Why isn’t my PIN working at the ATM?
Please make sure that you are using the PIN that was provided to you by 2-1-1. In most cases, this will be the last four digits of your telephone number.
IMPORTANT: This is not connected to your personal banking account. Do NOT use your usual banking PIN code.
Where does the money come from?
- We are distributing $25,000 in Emergency Cash, in the form of $40 increments to 625 evacuated individuals.
- The money for this program was donated by 400 individuals from across the globe. We are covering the fees and sending every penny back into the hands of those who need it most.
How can I support this program?
- BECOME A SUSTAINING DONOR to support our team’s work on Hurricane Laura Relief, in addition to our prep work for next season. Monthly donations help us plan for the future — they allow us to carry our lessons learned from this season over to the next.
- DONATE to the Hurricane Laura Relief Fund or Venmo us at @imaginewaterworks.
- SHARE the fund with your networks, and ask them to join you in sending support to those most impacted by Hurricane Laura.
- EMAIL sponsorship, partnership, or media inquiries to klie@imaginewaterworks.org.
I’ve already donated, or I can’t contribute money at this time. Can I help in other ways?
- Yes! If you’re in the New Orleans area, join our Imagine Mutual Aid group on Facebook, where neighbors are helping neighbors through COVID-19 and Hurricane Season. In the aftermath of Hurricane Laura, our group has been a place where evacuated individuals can say exactly what they need, and locals can help get it directly to them. We are taking care of each other and reimagining disaster relief together.
Who are your partners?
The Hurricane Laura Emergency Cash Program would not be possible without our partners, VIA LINK (211) and Pin4.
- VIA LINK provides information, referrals, training, and crisis intervention to people, organizations, and communities so they can help themselves and others. VIA LINK manages the 211 system for the region as well as 30 other crisis information and referral phone lines. They are available 24 hours a day to provide information that can help with food, shelter, medical care, financial assistance, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, senior services, childcare and more. VIA LINK’s contact center counselors are processing all referrals for the Hurricane Laura Emergency Cash Program.
- Pin4 is a venture-backed Fintech company whose mission is to build a truly global cardless cash solution for delivering payments and transfers using consumers’ mobile devices and the existing global network of over 3.5 million ATMs. Pin4 is providing the technology for the Hurricane Laura Emergency Cash Program.
- Imagine Water Works is reimagining the future through art, science, and connection. Our core focus areas are climate justice, water management, and disaster readiness and response. Throughout COVID-19 and Hurricane Laura, we have been actively reimagining disaster response in ways that respect each individuals’ autonomy and dignity — even, and especially, while in crisis. Imagine Water Works is the funder and lead organizer of the Hurricane Laura Emergency Cash Program.
What other work is Imagine Water Works doing on Hurricane Laura Relief?
In response to Hurricane Laura, our team has:
- Fundraised and distributed $5,100 to the Lake Charles area within days of landfall.
- Fundraised and launched a $25,000 Emergency Cash Program.
- Collected and donated 3,000 reusable tote bags to the New Orleans Resource Center to help evacuated individuals carry donated supplies with dignity.
- With a $3,000 grant from the Home Depot Foundation, purchased and delivered chainsaws, box fans, extension cords, tools, and charcoal grills to Sulphur — a more rural town just West of Lake Charles.
- Supported the nearly 12,000 individuals evacuated to New Orleans by offering or facilitating resources through our mutual aid group, including: food, mobility devices, laundry services, clothing in all sizes, mini-fridges for breastmilk and medicine, activities for children, birthday cakes, slow cookers, and transportation.
- Read and watch additional press coverage HERE.
See our Imagine Mutual Aid group in action via WWL’s Devin Bartolotta: