West Monroe, LA – October 30, 2026 – The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana officially opened its new facility in West Monroe Friday morning with a historic ribbon-cutting ceremony and announced a $14 million capital campaign to fund the facility, its renovations and sustainability.

The event marks the official opening of the Food Bank’s first permanent, standalone home in its 30-year history and a major investment in the future of hunger relief across Northeast Louisiana.

The new facility spans 100,000 square feet, more than doubling the size of the Food Bank’s former 45,000-square-foot rented warehouse in Monroe. The expanded space will strengthen the organization’s ability to receive, store and distribute food to families facing hunger throughout its 12-parish service area.

Established in 1996, the Food Bank serves approximately 39,000 people each month and distributes more than 8 million pounds of food annually. The new facility provides the capacity and infrastructure needed to meet growing community needs across the region.

The need for food assistance remains significant across Northeast Louisiana. According to a recent study by Feeding America, more than 72,680 people, or 1 in 5 residents, face food insecurity across the region, including approximately 23,620 children, or 1 in 3 children. Additionally, 1 in 7 seniors in Louisiana faces hunger, highlighting the ongoing challenges many families, older adults, and individuals experience when trying to afford nutritious food. The Food Bank’s expanded facility will help meet this growing need by increasing distribution capacity, strengthening disaster response efforts, and ensuring more food reaches neighbors facing hunger.

The warehouse was formerly owned and operated by Graphic Packaging International, which generously donated half the value of the property. Combined with a grant from MacKenzie Scott, the Food Bank was able to purchase the property outright. Thanks to generous support from other donors including the Jean and Saul A. Mintz Family, the needed renovations are transforming the facility into a Food Bank.

The upgraded facility features climate-controlled warehouse space, more than four times the cold and frozen food storage capacity, dedicated volunteer work areas, and a covered drive-thru loading area for community partners.

The ribbon-cutting celebration on Friday, October 30, also marks the public launch of Feeding Our Future, the Food Bank’s $14 million capital campaign to fund the purchase, renovation, and long-term sustainability of the new facility. Guided by the Food Bank’s Board of Directors and informed by a community feasibility study, the campaign will help ensure the organization can meet increasing demand for hunger-relief services for decades to come.

Once fully operational, the facility will double distribution capacity, expand volunteer opportunities, strengthen disaster response efforts, and provide the infrastructure needed to distribute up to 15 million pounds of food annually.

“This ribbon cutting represents more than the opening of a building. It is the opening of new opportunities to serve our neighbors experiencing hunger,” said Jean Toth, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana. “Our new home will allow us to expand our impact, increase our efficiency, and strengthen our ability to provide food assistance. We are incredibly grateful to our donors, volunteers, partners, and community members for their support.”

To date, more than $11 million has been committed toward the campaign through the generosity of philanthropic partners, foundations, corporations and individual donors. Fundraising efforts continue to support the remaining renovations and future enhancements to the campus.

“This facility is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when a community comes together around a shared vision,” said Marisol O’Neal, President of the Food Bank’s Board of Directors. “We are seeking community support for the remaining $3 million needed to complete this project. If you are interested in supporting our efforts to end hunger in Northeast Louisiana, please visit foodbanknela.org/feedingourfuture to learn more and give today. There is nothing more meaningful than community members stepping up to help community members.”

The Food Bank extends special appreciation to its lead supporters, including Graphic Packaging International, MacKenzie Scott, the Jean and Saul A. Mintz Family, and the many donors and partners whose generosity helped make the new facility a reality.

The new campus is being named The Jean and Saul Mintz Family Campus in honor of the Food Bank’s founding family, and their continued contributions to the organization’s mission over the last 30 years.

“The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana began with the vision of Jean and Saul Mintz to address hunger in our region,” said Melinda Mintz, founding Executive Director. “They recognized food security as a fundamental human need that provides nourishment for body and spirit. Relieving hunger gives our most vulnerable neighbors greater opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.”

Since its establishment, the Food Bank has expanded its network of community partners and hunger relief programs, and strengthened its impact throughout Northeast Louisiana.

“It has been deeply gratifying to see the Food Bank grow from its original 1,500-square-foot space on Walnut Street in Monroe to the organization it is today. This dedication honors the employees, volunteers and others who have carried its mission forward. With this new, modern facility, Jean Toth’s proven leadership, talented staff and dedicated volunteers, the Food Bank will make an even greater impact for generations. We encourage others to join us in supporting this campaign that will help the Food Bank provide more food to more people,” Mintz said.

The warehouse will honor another generous supporter, Graphic Packaging International, and will be named the Graphic Packaging Center for Hunger Relief.

“Graphic Packaging has been part of Northeast Louisiana for generations, and we’re proud to support the communities where our employees live and work,” said Robbert Rietbroek, President and Chief Executive Officer of Graphic Packaging International. “Expanding food access is an important part of our social impact program, RENEW, and this new facility will help the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana serve the community for years to come.”

The Food Bank invites community members to tour the new facility, support the Feeding Our Future campaign, and learn more about its mission to end hunger across Northeast Louisiana. For more information about the new facility, visit foodbanknela.org/feedingourfuture.