2024: A Year for Growth
The year 2024 marked the Food Bank’s 27th year of service in Northeast Louisiana, an incredible testament to our community’s heart for service and compassionate generosity. We are very thankful that we live in a community that cares deeply about our neighbors, where so many are willing to step forward and take action when someone needs a helping hand.
Last year, research showed that Louisiana had the highest rate of food insecurity among seniors in the entire nation, and that an estimated 1 in 5 Northeast Louisianans struggled to put food on the table. With the incredible support of thousands of individuals, businesses, churches and other organizations, in FY24 the Food Bank was able to provide over 6.9 million meals for our neighbors.
The Food Bank and our network of partners continue to look for ways to increase our impact and distribute more food. To combat senior hunger in our community, the Food Bank expanded its programs to include the Federal Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). We are now serving an additional 4,000 low-income seniors in Northeast Louisiana.
We also have continued to ramp up our delivery service to our Community Partners and distribution sites, transporting almost 4 million pounds of food across the 12-parish region we serve. The Food Bank’s Retail Rescue Program is growing – thanks to the new partnerships of Brookshire’s and Super One stores, and increased donations from Walmart and Sam’s Club. We’re now “rescuing” quality food from a total of 33 stores across Northeast Louisiana, which allows us to provide more food to local children, families and seniors.
Thank you for your continued support in 2025. A well-fed community is a strong community, and together we will ensure that no one in Northeast Louisiana goes to bed hungry.
With gratitude,
Jean Toth
Executive Director
Partner Spotlight: A Delivery of Hope
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.”
In 2024, the Food Bank provided over 425,917 pounds of food to Bawcomville of Hope, which was distributed to children, families, and seniors in their local community.
“I wouldn’t be able to do it without the Food Bank,” Rachel said.
Micah’s Special Mission Continues
Three years after starting Kids Bead to Feed, Micah’s passion for using art to help others has grown just like him.
Micah was six years old when he started Kids Bead to Feed, a project where Micah creates and sells objects made from small plastic beads to help feed kids. Now 9 years old, Micah recently raised $800 for the Food Bank.
“I enjoy how it stimulates my mind. I like knowing that I’m making something that someone likes and that it makes people happy,” Micah told us.
Micah’s project has grown to include support from a few stores in his community that help promote his mission. Amy, Micah’s mom, could not be prouder of her son and his desire to help others.
“He has a big heart and is a kind kid and we feel that anything we can do to support those characteristics help him in the long run,” Amy said. “The opportunity to teach our child to be selfless and to work to help others has been the biggest blessing to our family.”
Micah’s desire to make a difference at such a young age is inspiring!
If you would like to help our neighbors who are experiencing hunger, visit foodbanknela.org for ways to get involved. Or, like Micah, use your own special idea to create a fundraiser.
Organizations that feed our Community
Thanks to these generous organizations who have partnered with us at the $2,500 level or greater from June – December 2024.
