YOU Helped — And Made A Difference
Truck drivers are often referred to as the backbone of America. For Tidie, being a truck driver was more than just a job; it was his way of life. He proudly drove for Sol’s Pipe & Steel for over 20 years until he retired in 2021.
Tidie has been spending his retirement focusing on his health. He attends doctor’s appointments and has recently been researching different healthcare providers to find a plan that has more affordable medication prices. As the doctor visits accumulate, so do the costs.
“I try not to spend much, but my mortgage takes up a lot of my budget,” he told us. “I have to start stretching at the end of the month.”
We met Tidie at a Community Partners’ distribution in West Monroe, where he told us that a friend had recommended he visit a local pantry for help when things got tight. Tidie now visits Mount Pleasant Community Development for groceries when he needs food assistance.
“When I get a decent amount of food, it can last me almost three weeks.”
Your generous gifts help ensure our neighbors, such as Tidie, have access to nutritious foods through the Food Bank’s Community Partners and programs. Thank you!
The Power of the Penny
For Reeves Memorial Medical Center (RMMC), a penny is more than just a copper coin. It’s a valuable weapon in the battle against hunger. The staff of RMMC held a “penny war” fundraiser and donated $1,100 to the Food Bank’s hunger relief efforts.
A penny war is a fundraising competition where teams collect coins and bills in an effort to score points.
For National Nutrition Month in March, the staff of RMMC wanted to give back to their community. Sarah, the Dietary Director at RMMC, suggested they host a fundraiser for the Food Bank.
“We wanted to have a little friendly fun at work while helping the community,” said Sarah.
For one week, the staff at RMMC went to “war.” Members of each department would put pennies in their department’s jar to gain points. The staff would also roam the halls to stuff other department jars with silver coins to subtract points from that department.
The radiology department prevailed! With an additional contribution from the Bernice Business Club, RMMC’s donation helped provide 4,400 meals to our community.
“It’s needed, and we’re glad to be able to do it,” Sarah shared. “It’s at the heart of who we are. We’re a family, a community, and that’s our focus.”
Start your own fundraiser for the Food Bank on our website at foodbanknela.org.
We’re Bowled Over!
Once again, our incredible community showed just how much you care! This year’s Empty Bowls was our most successful to date, with another sold-out crowd. Generous support of this year’s Empty Bowls event will help provide over 230,000 meals to children, families, and seniors who face hunger in Northeast Louisiana!
This event wouldn’t be possible without the hundreds of beautiful bowls made and donated by local artists. Other artists and businesses donated items for the silent auction, and local artist Leigh Buffington created a live landscape painting that went home with a lucky high bidder. We’re also grateful for the local organizations who offered arts and crafts activities. A special thanks to Mandolin State for providing the great soundtrack for this year’s event.
Thank you, Sponsors:
Jackie & Robert Hendrick; Virginia & Joey Haddad; The Webb Family; NAI Faulk & Foster; Weyerhaeuser – Ruston; Atmos Energy; Louisiana Blue; Brookshire Grocery Company; Conterra Networks; First Horizon Bank; Homeland Bank; Origin Bank; Ryan Automotive; Weyerhaeuser – Arcadia OSB; Debbie and John Luffey; Entergy Louisiana; Argent – Justin Mailhes & Trey Curtis; Forth Insurance; John Rea Realty; Kilpatrick Funeral Homes; Nettech; The Spice & Tea Exchange; Chase; Creed & Creed; Eddleman Dental; Pelican State Credit Union; West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber; Peggy Sullivan; North Delta Title; Mohawk Tavern; Associated Business Printing; KNOE; BayouLife Magazine; Citizens Progressive Bank; Wonderboy Studios
Thank you, Food & Beverage Vendors:
Grown & Grazed; Lotus Club; Delta Biscuit Co.; JAC’s Craft Smokehouse; Taste of India; Zeus Juice; Newk’s Eatery; CC’s Coffee House Monroe; Little Sweet Shoppe; Texas Roadhouse; Thurman’s Food Factory; Baskin Robbins; Chicken Salad Chick; Nothing Bundt Cake
YOU Helped Kids Facing Hunger This Summer
When schools closed for the summer, thousands of local kids who rely on free school meals were suddenly left without access to a healthy breakfast and lunch.
In Northeast Louisiana, an estimated 23,310 children — 1 in 3 — are at risk of hunger. But you stepped up to help.
Thanks to your continued support, the Food Bank has been working hard to ensure no child has to face summer on an empty stomach. Your generosity helped stock the shelves of more than 50 Community Partners and fill mobile pantry trucks with fresh, nutritious food for families in need.
Because of you, parents didn’t have to choose between groceries and summer child care. Because of you, kids could enjoy their summer without worrying about their next meal.
Now, as July unfolds, the need for food assistance continues. Many families continue to struggle — and your continued support matters more than ever.
Every dollar, every can, and every volunteer hour made a real difference in Northeast Louisiana. Thank you for standing with children and families — throughout the summer, and into the school year ahead.
Organizations that Feed our Community
Thanks to these generous organizations who have partnered with us at the $2,500 level or greater from January – April 2025.
AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana
Enterprise Mobility Foundation
Lincoln Health Foundation
Feeding America
Atmos Energy
Hodge Strong Foundation
Entergy Louisiana
United Way of Northeast Louisiana
PEEP, Inc
Coca-Cola
Weyerhaeuser
NAI Faulk & Foster
