Finding Grace

April 22, 2019 by External Communications Officer

The Food Bank has over 60 community partners and programs that help us feed thousands of people every week. One of those partners is Grace Place Ministries in Monroe. Founded in 2001 by Rhonda Grace, the organization was originally a women’s ministry. As time went on and Rhonda became more involved in serving the neighborhood, she says “The Lord said “Feed the people,” so she started a soup kitchen in 2006. When they first began serving meals three days a week, they would have a maximum of 50 people for lunch. Now, the Grace Place Soup Kitchen has grown to serve about 300 people on an average day, or about 3,200 meals each month.

Grace Place Pantry Volunteers — **“None of this could be possible without the people who give to the Food Bank.” – Misty**

Grace Place also opened a food pantry, offering groceries from the Food Bank to their clients. About 150 families receive grocery assistance every month, which includes pantry staples, meat, dairy, and fresh produce. Rhonda says it means so much to her “knowing we are making a difference with hot meals and food.”

Although Rhonda now works mostly behind the scenes, the food ministry continues to run smoothly thanks to staff like Misty Loe, Andrea McDonald, and Ann Culvertson. These ladies ensure that the pantry is ready when the clients walk in the door, handle all of the intake paperwork, and offer love and support to those they serve. They recently changed their pantry to a “Client Choice” model, where people can take what they need, and leave the rest. “It feels good knowing that we’re giving food to people that they can cook and enjoy,” said Misty, “It gives people a sense of dignity, like they’re going to the grocery store.”

One can’t help but feel the immense love and care being served along with the food at Grace Place. While sometimes feeding everyone in need can seem an impossible task, Rhonda says “Take the one in front of you and love that one.” And love is certainly in the hearts of those who serve here. “By the Grace of God, we’re not all in that line,” said Misty, “None of this could be possible without the people who give to the Food Bank.”

Thank you to all who donate money, food, and time to the Food Bank. Your generosity fuels the distribution of over 5 million pounds of food to people facing hunger, through our programs and community partners like Grace Place.

Click here to make an online donation

Feeding America CEO Visit Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana

October 26, 2018 by External Communications Officer

Food Bank board members and staff pose for a photo with new Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot

The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana received a special visit last week from the new Chief Executive Officer of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization. Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, a Louisiana native, was recently appointed to head the non-profit network of 200 Food Banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs.

Before relocating to the Feeding America national office in Chicago, Babineaux-Fontenot spent some time touring the five Food Banks located in Louisiana. One of those stops was at The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, which is headquartered in Monroe, and serves the entire Northeast region of the state.

Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot talks with Food Bank volunteer Maddox Lee during a BackPacks for Kids packing activity

“The Food Bank Board and staff were delighted to meet Claire,” said Jean Toth, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana. “We shared the needs that we are addressing in our corner of the state as well as highlighting the tremendous support of our partners and the community.”

Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot meets with Claire White and George Standifer at Food Bank community partner agency The Zone

Along with visiting the Food Bank of NELA’s facility, Babineaux-Fontenot accompanied Toth to one of the Food Bank’s community partner distributions. “The Zone” food pantry operated by Rays of Sonshine is one of the 60 community partners the Food Bank of NELA supplies with food, some of which comes from national donations made to Feeding America. The Food Bank serves 24,000 individuals monthly through their network of partners and direct distribution programs.

“It was deeply inspiring to see all the good work that Feeding America network food banks do to provide meals to people who need them, in Monroe and across the state,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot. “The staff and volunteers at the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, and their food pantries and meal programs, provide an essential service to their neighbors in need.”

This visit is particularly important and invaluable for Food Banks in Louisiana as the state has some of the worst hunger statistics in the country. In fact, Louisiana has the highest rate of food insecurity among senior citizens, and is ranked fourth highest in child food insecurity. Right here in Northeast Louisiana, one in five people are food insecure, and 1 in 4 children also face hunger.

The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana is a proud member of the Feeding America network, and relies on local community support to provide food to children, families and seniors in the twelve parish region they serve. Monetary contributions are always needed, and with $10, the Food Bank is able to provide 55 meals to people facing hunger. Community members can also get involved by donating food or volunteering.

Food Bank board members and staff meet with Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot

About The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana

The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana is a charitable, not-for-profit organization that solicits, stores, and distributes food to partner agencies, children and seniors in 12 Parishes in Northeast Louisiana. Together, as a hunger-relief network we serve over 24,000 people monthly. The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana is a member of Feeding America and a United Way Partner Agency. To learn more about how you can help, please visit www.foodbanknela.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

Living in Service to Others

June 26, 2018 by External Communications Officer

Christ Association Union - Rhodell and Alma Montgomery; Charlie Smith — Rhodell and Alma Montgomery; Charlie Smith

Bernice is a small town north of Ruston with a population of about 1,700. With almost 40% of the population there living in poverty, the need for food assistance is great. One of our community partners in Bernice is Christ Association Union. A group of caring individuals from the New Hopewell Baptist Church had been providing meals for shut-ins and special holiday meals for those in need, when four years ago, they decided to partner with the Food Bank of NELA to start offering a monthly grocery distribution.

Alma and Rhodell Montgomery along with Charlie Smith are the faces behind this wonderful pantry. All have retired from various careers and now lead a life of service to others. When they first started their food pantry, they served about 70 families. Now they say they provide food to about 180 families every month.

“We see a lot of children really in need,” said Alma, “it (the food pantry) really makes a big difference in our community.” Rhodell agreed and talked to us about many of the elderly in the community who just aren’t able to afford the nutritious meals they need.

According to Charlie, most people in Bernice know each other, but they may not realize the neighbors they see every day may be privately struggling to get enough to eat. “We’re here to help,” said Charlie. “My biggest enjoyment is when people come in to get a food bag and say ‘Oh thank you!’.”

We would like to thank you, our donors, for helping us provide the much needed food to programs like New Hopewell Baptist Church food pantry. A gift of just $10 will provide 55 meals to people in need. Together, we can ensure that no one in Northeast Louisiana goes hungry!

“It means being able to eat, thank you!”

Thank you to all who donate money, food, and time to the Food Bank. Your generosity fuels the distribution of over 5 million pounds of food to people facing hunger, through our programs and community partners like Grace Place.

Click here to make an online donation

Franklin Parish has a population of just over 20,000, and 21% of the people there are food insecure. Thankfully, Food Bank partner agency Fresh Start Ministries is there to provide food and other support to those in need.