First Friday Memo - March 2025
From the desk of Jayne Wright-Velez, Executive Director
March 2025 / Issue 181
Matching Gift Challenge This Month Only!
A $50 gift becomes $100 to us. A $100 gift becomes $200 to us. A $250 gift becomes $500 to us. An anonymous donor has made a matching gift challenge grant to The Food Bank for the month of March. Each dollar you donate will be matched. Make your gift now to double your impact!
The Food Bank Needs Your Help More Than Ever!
The need for Food Bank services has increased more than 11% over the previous year. That’s right. In our first 7 months of this fiscal year (since July 1, 2024) we distributed 7.1 million pounds of food to neighbors across Central Louisiana. Challenges created by the high price of food, new processes for federal government funding and the closing of companies in central Louisiana have a growing number of families needing our assistance. Please take advantage of our anonymous donor’s challenge grant during March!
March is National Nutrition Month®
Food is a connecting factor for many of us. Food connects us to our cultures, our families and our friends. Sharing a meal is an opportunity to learn about its preparation, who made it and where the ingredients were sourced. What’s more, health, memories, traditions, seasons and access can all impact our relationship with food. During National Nutrition Month®, learn more about these connections and how the foods you eat impact your health throughout life. https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month
Capture Point Provides $10,000 Gift
CapturePoint donated $10,000 to support feeding the local community in Vernon Parish and Central Louisiana. CapturePoint is defining the leading edge of Carbon Management in the United States, including development of the next generation Central Louisiana Regional Carbon Storage Hub (CENLA Hub) in Vernon Parish. The team at CapturePoint is committed to local partnerships that build a brighter future for our CENLA communities, create opportunities for individual success and ensure that all of our neighbors thrive.
AmeriCorps Week is March 9-15
During AmeriCorps Week we recognize the millions of Americans who have chosen to serve their country through AmeriCorps and encourage others to follow in their footsteps of service. The second full week of March, America recognizes and gives thanks to those members and volunteers who raise their hands to help when the need arises. They are often the first on the ground and last to leave. At the Food Bank, we especially thank our own AmeriCorps team. Their dedication to service is an inspiration to all. To learn about the Food Bank’s AmeriCorps program, visit fbcenla.org/program/americorps. We’re recruiting for Summer service now!
Happening Now: Walmart and Sam’s Club Fight Hunger. Spark Change.
2025 marks 20 years of partnership between Feeding America, Walmart and Sam’s Club! Our national partnership has evolved into one of the most transformative partnerships in the hunger relief space, with approximately $255 million and nearly 9 billion pounds of food donated to the Feeding America network of local food banks and partner agencies.
It’s easy to participate. Donations can be made at the register, or when checking out online. Or look for the specially marked packages on products from 22 Walmart suppliers and seven Sam’s Club suppliers.
For every participating product purchased in store or online at Walmart.com or SamsClub.com, the supplier will donate the monetary equivalent of at least one meal ($0.10) at Walmart and five meals ($0.50) at Sam’s Club.
At the register: Cashiers will ask customers to donate at check-out in stores or clubs. Donations can be made for $1, $5 or an amount chosen by the customer/member. Customers/members can also choose to round-up their purchase to the nearest dollar.
Self-Checkout: A prompt will ask “Will you donate to fight hunger?” when a customer/member selects “Finish & Pay.” Donations can be made in $1, $5 or an amount chosen by the customer/member. Customers/members can also choose to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar.
Online: Customers can round up their purchase on Walmart.com and the Walmart app.
Donations stay local. Purchases and donations made in-store or online are tied to zip codes and go to the local Feeding America® partner food bank in that community.
