QUINCY, Fla. (WTXL) — It's been just over a week since Laura made landfall in Louisana as a Category 4 hurricane.
People living there are still trying to pick up the pieces from the storm. Meanwhile, people in the Big Bend area are finding ways to help.
A group of volunteers in Quincy is collecting everything from ready meals to tarps, even canned goods, to send to people in Louisiana who are suffering after Hurricane Laura.
Jody Tipton's home in Longville, Louisiana, where she and her husband have lived for three years, was badly damaged.
"We have neighbors with no roof," said Tipton. "I feel like we're living in a 3rd world country."
Tipton is originally from Blountstown, and many of her friends and family live in the Big Bend.
"I wanted to take my child and drive to Florida and be comfortable but when I drove down our road, I couldn't leave," Tipton said. "People have nothing."
She and her family are staying in order to connect her neighbors with support from friends and family here in the Big Bend, who know what it's like to need help after a hurricane since they survived Hurricane Michael just two years ago.
"I mean, these people are struggling," said Alicia Bopp, a community organizer. "If anybody went through Michael they've gotta understand what these people are going through now."
Bopp and Tipton are traveling between the two states to return the show of selflessness they saw when Florida was in need.
There are a few unusual supplies Tipton says are in highest demand.
"People are desperate for food, canned food, women's hygiene items, larger size diapers, as well as extension cords, gas cans, and charcoal," said Tipton..
Bopp says distance doesn't matter when it comes to lending a helping hand.
"Even though they are eight hours away, there's plenty of people around here that are organizing like we are, gathering supplies," Bopp said.
The group plans to continue collecting all the donations that they can between now and September 13 before they make their next trip and drop off on September 15.
