Captain Lance Cagnolatti

By Chase Lowenstein 

It's not easy for some New Orleans residents to find ice, water, or even food right now, with Isaac leaving so many businesses closed without electricity. The Louisiana National Guard stepped in to supplement local grocers and drug stores, and NOLA Defender went down to the Point of Distribution Site at 700 Poland Ave. There, we were able to speak with Captain Lance Cagnolatti about what's being done to supply victims of Hurricane Isaac with necessities like food, water, and more.

How's everything been going today?

"We opened up this morning a littler earlier than usual, we opened at about a quarter to 6 and we're planning to go till about 8 at night with a small shift change in between. We're just out here trying to push as hard as we can for the community because we're the National Guard - we live here, we work here, and we want to take care of what matters to us."

Have there been any snags or has it run pretty smoothly so far?

"Yes sir, even this morning when the troops that are working here got on hand they had people already lined up. They said at about 430 this morning people were just very graciously waiting till we had everything set up and in order because we didn't have things set up overnight like ice cause' we gotta leave it in the truck. They were here cause they understand that we're here for the community and they're willing to be gracious to us so we can help them."

Is there anything else you'd like to say to the people out there who havn't received your help yet?

"I'd like to say come on; we're over here on Poland. We understand what you're going through because like I said, we live here, our houses are out here, we drill and work in this area in Jackson Barracks and we are here to help you and the local authorities in helping you through this time. We have food, we have water, we have ice, and we have tarps because we know a lot of people have leaky roofs so just ask when you show up if you want a tarp and we'll be here to help you as long as we can. We're steadily resupplying even though some stuff we have to wait a little bit on but we're getting resupplied and we're here to help you because this is our community."

As of Saturday, there are six Point of Distribution (POD) sites in New Orleans located at:

5501 Read Blvd. in New Orleans East (near the intersection of Read and Lake Forrest Blvd.)

2730 Vespasian Blvd on the West Bank

700 Poland in the Bywater

The Municipal Auditorium at 1451 Basin Street in TREME

Tad Gormley Stadium in City Park at 5120 Marconi Drive in MID-CITY

Old Engine 31 in Venetian Isles at 4300 Alba Road in VENETIAN ISLES - opening Sunday.