As part of the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign by Walmart and Sam’s Club, join us as we take a look inside a local pantry in Northeast Louisiana and their impact on our neighbors.

Everyone needs healthy food to thrive. Research shows that limited access to nutritious food can be a major contributor to health issues, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

In Ouachita Parish, 1 in 6 individuals are at risk of hunger, including 1 in 4 kids. The Food Bank stocks the shelves of about 25 food pantries in Ouachita Parish, including Bawcomville of Hope.

Bawcomville of Hope distributes food twice a month to our neighbors in the West Monroe community. They opened their doors in 2019 and became a vital resource to many during the COVID pandemic. They now serve about 600 families each month. Rachel Holmes, President of Bawcomville of Hope, shared that people don’t come to the pantry just for help but to also help others.

“It’s not just about the food. It’s about the social interaction,” she said. “We’ve earned their trust. Even after they’ve gotten on their feet, they come to volunteer because they want to give back to us as we’ve given to them.”

Walmart and Sam’s Club donate quality food to distribute to our neighbors who face hunger through the Food Bank’s Retail Rescue Program. 

In 2024, Bawcomville of Hope received over 103,322 pounds of food from Walmart and Sam’s Club through retail rescue.