Boyd donates $250K to southern Louisiana communities affected by Hurricane Ida

Boyd Gaming Corporation announced Tuesday that it will donate $250,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank, the largest in southern Louisiana, in support of its southern communities. 

This area suffered extreme damage from Hurricane Ida, which made landfall in southern Louisiana on August 29. This donation will provide financial support for Second Harvest’s ongoing efforts to provide food and water to residents of Jefferson and St. Mary’s parishes, home to Boyd Gaming’s Treasure Chest and Amelia Belle properties, and surrounding communities. 

Both Treasure Chest and Amelia Belle remain closed following the storm. The company is still working to reopen both properties, and expects they will resume operations within next week. 

In an official press release, President and CEO of Boyd Gaming, Keith Smith, spoke about the company’s donation and said: "Following this terrible storm, our highest priority is the safety and welfare of our southern Louisiana team members and neighbors.  This donation will help our partners at Second Harvest provide much-needed food and water to thousands of local residents who are still trying to recover.  Additionally, our Treasure Chest and Amelia Belle team members will receive full pay while those properties remain closed, and we will provide them other forms of financial assistance in the coming days as we begin the work of helping them get back on their feet."

Natalie Jayroe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Second Harvest, added: "We are grateful for this extraordinary gift from Boyd Gaming to support Second Harvest Food Bank's disaster response in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Boyd Gaming's financial commitment will support relief efforts in communities in Jefferson and St. Mary parishes, two areas that were hard-hit by this devastating storm.  We are receiving daily requests for help from these communities and this gift will help us make the biggest difference we can."