You Help Neighbors Like Gayla
Each morning, Gayla begins her day with a call to her 83-year-old mother. After that, she drives 30 miles to take her 13-year-old daughter to school before going to take care of her mother. As a devoted mom and daughter, Gayla’s days are full but her heart is fuller.
Because her mother’s health requires frequent care, Gayla isn’t able to work full time. Her husband’s income helps, but it’s often not enough to cover all their needs, especially when the cost of food began to rise. Though she was hesitant at first, she’s grateful she visited a Food Bank food pantry distribution in East Carroll Parish.
“The food helps, especially at the end of the month,” Gayla said.
The groceries she receives help stretch her budget and save money for other household expenses.
“It helps me save for the gas I need to take my daughter to school,” she told us.
Cooking is one of Gayla’s greatest joys, and she’s known among her family and friends as a talented cook. A few weeks ago, she received shrimp, rice, and cheese from a distribution and turned them into a family favorite: cheesy shrimp and rice.
Like so many of us, food is more than nourishment. It’s an expression of love and care that connects Gayla with her family.
“I want to see my daughter graduate and go to college. She needs to be a lawyer because she loves to argue,” she joked.
Your support feeds local families. Thank you!
Community Steps Up After Winter Storm: Thank You for Making a Difference
When this year’s winter storm brought our region to a halt, our community responded with incredible generosity and compassion. Thanks to your support, the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana mobilized quickly to provide emergency food assistance to thousands of families and individuals recovering from the storm.
Because of you, an incredible 195,000 pounds of food was distributed during our disaster response, in addition to our regular distributions. This included frozen chicken, fresh potatoes and onions, nonperishable staple foods, and bottled water — critical resources for households facing power outages, damaged homes, and lowest wages.
Your compassion ensured that no one had to question where their next meal would come from. As one neighbor shared, “The Food Bank can make the difference between someone eating or not eating.”
Thank you for being that difference.
Moments like this remind us how strong our community truly is. Your generosity ensures that families have nourishment, children have stability, and seniors are not left behind. We are deeply grateful for the way you continue to stand with us — and with one another — when it matters most.
Rock 'N' Box a Huge Hit!
Special thanks to our sponsors, James Machine Works, Linden Hum, Pelican Credit Union, Kilpatrick Funeral Homes, and Josh Madden and his band for giving a fantastic performance throughout the event!
A Legacy Built on Compassion and Generosity
The Mintz family’s tradition of generosity began in 1996 when Saul and Melinda Mintz founded the Food Bank with other caring community members. What started as a heartfelt idea has grown into a network serving more than 30,000 people each month across 12 parishes. Today, the Mintz Planned Giving Society continues that legacy by recognizing those who include the Food Bank in their will, trust, or estate plan.
Planned gifts are more than financial contributions; they are investments in the future. They provide resources that allow the Food Bank to expand programs, respond to emergencies, and ensure children, seniors, and families have consistent access to nutritious food.
Learn more at foodbanknela.org/legacysociety or contact Sarah Hoffman at 318-322-3567. Your legacy can nourish generations to come.
You Help Feed Our Community
At the Food Bank, we see firsthand the issue of hunger in Northeast Louisiana and the compassion and commitment that our community has to help others.
We want to thank every business, family, and individual who hosts food drives to help ensure our neighbors have access to nutritious food when they need it most. Thank you!
Join Us at Empty Bowls 2026!
Our 10th Annual Empty Bowls event is now scheduled on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Monroe Civic Center. This cherished community event brings people together to fight hunger while enjoying tastings from 12+ local restaurants and choosing a handcrafted bowl to take home.
The event features live music, live painting, a silent auction, and kids’ activities that make it fun for the whole family. New this year, a limited number of VIP tickets offer early entry at 10:30 a.m. for first choice of food and bowls, and Empty Bowls T-shirts are available for pre-order.
Empty Bowls has sold out for six consecutive years, so get your tickets early. Every $10 raised helps provide food for 30 meals to neighbors facing hunger in Northeast Louisiana. Come share a meal, celebrate community, and make a meaningful impact.
Organizations that Feed our Community
Thanks to these generous organizations who have partnered with us at the $2,500 level or greater from August – December 2025.
Ag Supply Irrigation, LLC
Atmos Energy
Costco
Centene Foundation
Louisiana Healthcare Connections
Dollar General
Enterprise Mobility
Foundation
Feeding America
First Horizon Bank
Healthy Blue
Humana Foundation
JCPenney
Lamb Weston
Louisiana Blue Foundation
Popeye’s Foundation
United Way of Northeast Louisiana
