WBRZ - Baton Rouge

LAKE CHARLES - Food gathered from around the nation is in Lake Charles to be loaded onto a cargo ship that is headed to West Africa.

The American Press reports the M/V Sheila McDevitt will carry 28,000 tons of rice, lentils, cornmeal and other goods provided under guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Agency for International Development.

Capt. Max Stovall said it will take more than a week to load the ship before it leaves the Port of Lake Charles.

The Sheila McDevitt is U.S.-flagged and is operated by American officers and crew.