First Friday Memo - May 2025
From the desk of Jayne Wright-Velez, Executive Director
The Food Bank of Central Louisiana
May 2025 / Issue 183
How the Federal Budget May Impact the Food Bank of Central Louisiana
In March, Congress passed a continuing budget resolution to keep the government running through September. Two line-item changes in that budget had immediate impact on our food distributions by cancelling $500,000,000 from each of two USDA programs that provided food to food banks. These cuts have prevented us from making planned produce purchases from local farmers, while also cancelling truckloads of USDA food staples that had already been ordered and would have been delivered to Alexandria by now.
The full-year budget resolution that passed Congress last month called for major reductions in spending for the USDA and details of new funding priorities are being negotiated in Congressional committees. Any further reductions in the Federal food assistance budget will deepen the impact on the Food Bank of Central Louisiana and the people we serve. This leaves us uncertain about how we would make up for the loss of potentially millions of pounds of our annual food inventory.
Meanwhile, demand for our services continues to rise. In 2024, the Food Bank of Central Louisiana distributed more food to more people than ever in our history. The trend continues, as in the first quarter of 2025, the Food Bank of Central Louisiana served about 7% more families than we served in the first quarter of last year.
We will continue to keep our stakeholders updated. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to stay informed and get involved. Learn more about how federal programs impact food banks at feedingamerica.org/advocate. Or contact us at 318-445-2773 to find out how to volunteer, start a food drive, or make a donation. We’ll get through this, but we need help today.
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive May 10
Save the date for the 2025 Stamp Out Hunger food drive on Saturday, May 10! To participate, leave a bag of non-perishable food next to your mailbox for your letter carrier to pick up.
Each year, letter carriers across the country head out on their routes on the second Saturday in May to collect donations of non-perishable food items to benefit local food pantries. Since launching in 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has grown into the nation’s largest one-day food drive, helping to fill the shelves of food banks in cities and towns throughout the United States.
Simply leave your donation of non-perishable food in a bag near your mailbox on May 10th, and your letter carrier will do the rest. Let’s make a difference
Louisiana Healthcare Connections Supports Child Nutrition
Louisiana Healthcare Connections has awarded the Food Bank of Central Louisiana a $2,000 grant to support the BackPack Program. Louisiana Healthcare Connections is committed to supporting initiatives that provide or enhance direct services, promote inclusive and culturally sensitive care, and prioritize health equity. We appreciate their ongoing dedication to improving the health of Louisianians.
The P&G Fund Awards a Grant to the Food Bank of Central Louisiana
P&G people live and work in over 70 countries. They're focused on making a positive impact around the globe through partnerships with organizations working every day to help communities grow and thrive. This $10,000 Community Grant will support the Food Bank’s every-day food distribution operations. We are so grateful to P&G for being such a good neighbor and partner to the food bank and the people we serve.
Celebrate Mother’s Day by Helping Moms Feed Their Families
Food insecurity disproportionately affects mothers, especially single mothers and those in low-income households, leading to various health and well-being challenges for both the mother and her children.
The Impact of Food Insecurity on Mothers:
Physical Health: Food insecurity can increase the risk of obesity, depression, and other health problems for mothers who prioritize their children's needs over their own.
Mental Health: Mothers experiencing food insecurity are at higher risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Maternal and Infant Health: Food insecurity during pregnancy can lead to negative outcomes for both the mother and child, including low birth weight, birth defects, and other health complications.
This Mother's Day, consider volunteering or donating to organizations that support food-insecure moms. Many groups provide food assistance and other resources to help these families, and your donation can make a real difference.
