First Friday Memo - July 2024
From the desk of Jayne Wright-Velez, Executive Director
July 2024 / Issue 173
Gratitude for Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation
The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, in collaboration with the Dallas operating division, has awarded the Food Bank of Central Louisiana a grant in the amount of $56,887. Kroger is deeply committed to helping achieve positive changes in their communities. They focus their philanthropy and community engagement efforts on advancing their Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social and environmental impact plan as they help create communities free of hunger and waste. We are so grateful for the opportunity to partner with Kroger to alleviate hunger in Central Louisiana.
Louisiana FFA Spends a Day of Service at the Food Bank
The Louisiana FFA held their 95th State Convention and Expo last month in Alexandria. The event’s Day of Service was spent at the Food Bank of Central Louisiana, where more than 70 FFA members sorted and packed food and bagged produce. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Thanks to all the FFA member volunteers who participated in the State Convention Day of Service at the Food Bank!
Louisiana FFA Spends a Day of Service at the Food Bank
The Louisiana FFA held their 95th State Convention and Expo last month in Alexandria. The event’s Day of Service was spent at the Food Bank of Central Louisiana, where more than 70 FFA members sorted and packed food and bagged produce. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Thanks to all the FFA member volunteers who participated in the State Convention Day of Service at the Food Bank!
LA Restaurant Association Supports the Food Bank
The Cenla chapter of the Louisiana Restaurant Association’s annual Taste of Mardi Gras event raised funds to benefit Central Louisiana charities. We are so thankful that the Food Bank received a donation of $3,000 from event proceeds. That amounts to 2,500 meals for neighbors in need across Cenla!
Annual Impact Reports Available Soon
At the end of each fiscal year, the food bank puts together a report summarizing the activities in each of our programs. Separate reports detail our service in each parish. The food bank’s fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30. The full slate of FY 2023-24 Annual Impact Reports will be available by month’s end at fbcenla.org/impact.
Cadence Bank Awards a Grant for the BackPack Program
Cadence Bank Foundation has awarded the Food Bank of Central Louisiana a $500 grant in support of our Backpack Program in Rapides Parish. Cadence Bank partners with organizations like ours as they work to create economic resilience and financial mobility for families across their footprint. We sincerely value their commitment to addressing our community’s basic needs, homelessness, and food insecurity.
AmeriCorps Serves Here!
AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. The Food Bank of Central Louisiana is an AmeriCorps organization, which means that individuals can serve their country right here at home in Alexandria. We’re currently recruiting for terms of service to begin in mid-August. Benefits include a stipend in the form of a bi-weekly paycheck AND an education award that may be used for tuition or student loans. For more information, reach out to Karen at the Food Bank, 318-445-2773 ext. 222 or kwilliams@fbcenla.org. Or check out our website: fbcenla.org/program/americorps.
The Food Bank of Central Louisiana is Now Distributing CSFP for Seniors
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a USDA program that works to improve the health of low-income persons at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods. Beginning July 1, Feeding Louisiana – the statewide network of food banks – became the administrator of the program for the state. That means that each of the five regional food banks has taken over distributing CSFP food boxes across their service areas. The Food Bank of Central Louisiana is responsible for delivering the program to older adults who have enrolled in the program in the eleven parishes we serve. To learn more about the program in Louisiana, or to find the application, visit seniorboxes.org.
Albertsons Foundation Tackles Summer Hunger
The Food Bank of Central Louisiana received a $7,000 grant from Albertsons Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Program to combat hunger during the summer months and after school hours when school-aged children face higher rates of food insecurity. The grant is part of the “Fight Hunger, Serve Hope” initiative from Albertsons private label brand O Organics. The program aims to eradicate hunger in America by keeping food banks stocked and supporting meal distribution programs at schools. We are proud to partner with Nourishing Neighbors to help fight hunger in Central Louisiana.
