GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A local bar owner is collecting food and supplies to bring down to Louisiana to assist victims of Hurricane Ida. Chris and Penny Knutson own Gilligan’s Bar and Grill.
“Our posts on Facebook were shared all over the place. We had people from Louisiana, from the whole surrounding area from Mississippi,” says Knutson. “Reaching out saying hey, this is where we’re at, this is what’s going on.”
The couple started a drive collecting material goods on Sunday.
The two have set up three donation drop off locations, including Gilligan’s Bar and Grill and TNT Signature Glass Design in Green Bay.
The couple has set up a bank account at Nicolet Bank for people to donate.
They’re also asking for non-perishable food items, water, cleaning supplies, bleach and garbage bags.
Knutson does not yet have a concrete plan on who will be receiving the supplies.
“We have not partnered with anybody, we’re gonna reach out to the Red Cross and see what’s needed, but we decided we could have a quicker impact if we just did it on our own,” says Knutson.
As of now one trailer is being loaded, but if needed, another will be added.
The couple plans to leave on Friday, but if travel is made impossible due to road closures, the donation efforts could be prolonged.
“That’s the scary part, we have no idea. So, we’re prepared but not prepared. It may take us longer to get there because of road closures or just impassable areas,” says Knutson. “So, we’ll find alternate routes. It might take an extra day or two, we’re prepared for that.”
Knutson has been in touch with local organizations in the gulf about distributing supplies to communities not being directly assisted by the American Red Cross or FEMA.
The Knutson’s will being their drive to Louisiana on Saturday.
