With temperatures rising and summer fast approaching, relief is on the way for dozens of households in Monroe, thanks to a donation of 175 air conditioning units to residents in City Council Districts 3 and 4.
The initiative, spearheaded by Bishop Rodney McFarland of District 5 and Councilwoman Juanita Woods of District 3, was made possible through a partnership with The Janet Floyd Outreach Ministries. The effort also included support from Senator Katrina Jackson and Rep. Adrian Fisher, and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Louisiana.
“This wasn’t about politics — it was about people,” said Bishop McFarland in a phone interview. “Every year, there are giveaways of box fans, but all a box fan does is circulate hot air. We felt folks deserved better than that.”
The 5,000 BTU air conditioners were purchased for a total cost of $20,183, funded entirely through the outreach ministry. Installation, which began earlier this week and is expected to continue through Friday, is being handled by members of the Northeast Region of Prince Hall Masons, many of whom are volunteering their time to ensure units are properly set up in residents’ homes.
“We didn’t just want to drop off air conditioners and walk away,” McFarland said. “We wanted to make sure they were installed right, safely, and that they stayed with the families who need them — not in pawn shops.”
McFarland noted that the installation process has been slower than anticipated due to the time required to enter homes, rearrange furniture, and train volunteers on paperwork and safety procedures. However, he emphasized that the effort was worth the time and coordination.
“There’s still time for people to call in and get on the list. We had a few extra slots open up today,” he said, urging residents in need to reach out as soon as possible.
