First Friday Memo - October 2024

From the desk of Jayne Wright-Velez, Executive Director

October 2024 / Issue 176

Feeding America Releases 2024 Elevating Voices: Insights Report

Feeding America released their annual, nationally representative snapshot of the experiences, concerns and ideas of people facing hunger. The report helps us to understand issues driving food insecurity from the perspective of people with lived experience. For example, according to the report, the issues neighbors say are the current top drivers of food insecurity in the US are:

1) Rising food costs;

2) High inflation;

3) Low or no income; and

4) Cost of rent or buying a home.

The study provides a wealth of additional information that that can help us move closer to a hunger-free nation. View the report at www.feedingamerica.org/research/community-solutions-hunger.

International Paper Supports Food Distribution in Campti

International Paper funds critical needs in the communities where their employees live and work. Among other initiatives, they work with food banks and agencies to address hunger and food security for children, families and seniors. We are grateful that for the second year, International Paper has awarded a grant to the Food Bank to help sustain our mobile food pantry in Campti. Campti is the location of the Red River Containerboard Mill. We love businesses that give back in the communities where they operate!

Child Hunger Doesn’t Stop During the Schoolyear

Schools do a good job providing lunches (and sometimes breakfast) to kids who qualify for free and reduced meals. But what happens after the bell? A new “Household Food Insecurity in the United States” report from the USDA found that more children are living in food-insecure households than last year. That means that more kids face hunger when they get home from school. At the Food Bank, we offer several programs to help keep children fed after school and over weekends. The BackPack Program and the Child Care Food Program provide meals and snacks specifically for children. SNAP Outreach helps families with food stamp applications; and our household food distribution programs provide monthly groceries to families. With more than one in four Cenla children living in food insecurity, we are so thankful to all the donors who help ensure that the food bank’s child nutrition services operate all year round.

Join the Food Drive at the Rapides Parish Fair

The Mighty Thomas Carnival at the Rapides Parish Fair is once again supporting the Food Bank of Central Louisiana! Bring a donation of canned goods for the Food Bank and receive an armband discount from Friday, October 11 – Sunday, October 13.

Capital One Has Awarded the Food Bank a Grant to Feed Families.

Capital One believes strongly in building the communities where they live and work. We appreciate their confidence that this partnership will foster meaningful progress toward their mission to Change Banking For Good. Through this years-long relationship, we are fortunate to continue making real, lasting change together in our communities. 

Hunger Action Month Inspired Cenla to Help

Thank you to all the individuals and groups who took action in September to fight hunger in Central Louisiana. Here are just a few examples of those who answered the call to help their neighbors and make a difference during Hunger Action Month.

• American Legion Riders Post 145 held their annual charity ride on September 14 in support of the Food Bank’s Senior Program in Vernon Parish.

• Kroger held a register event all month long where customers rounded up or made a donation at check-out to support the Food Bank.

• Businesses and organizations held food drives throughout the month of September. Thanks to these local groups for taking action: Advance America, Dis-Tran, Louisiana Moose Lodge, and Red River Bank.

• Volunteer groups from local businesses, schools and organizations volunteered their time during Hunger Action Month. We appreciate the volunteer support from Bunkie High School Beta Club, Coca Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Glenmora High School Beta Club, J.B. Nachman Elementary School Beta Club, Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program, Novo-Nordisk, Peabody Magnet High School CBT Class, Oxford House, Pentecostal Home School, RoyOMartin, and Tioga High School CBT Class.

Learn to Garden on Workday Wednesdays

With the coming of nicer weather, Fall is a great time of year to be outdoors in Central Louisiana. The Food Bank’s Good Food Project hosts Workday Wednesday each week when volunteers can help in the Demonstration Garden. Maintain the garden, plant fall crops, and harvest the late summer produce. You don’t need any experience to join us – the GFP team will teach you all you need to know. To sign up, call Levi at 318-445-2773.