Meeting Hunger At Its Root
Across the eight parishes in Acadiana, an average of 24% of children and over 100,000 residents faced food insecurity prior to the pandemic. Second Harvest has developed programs to meet hunger at its root cause.
“Food insecurity is normally not a stand-alone issue,” Brittany Bowie Impact Operations Officer explains. “A majority of the time, people who are food insecure, are also suffering other aspects of their lives. There is a stigma on needing help from pantries and food banks but we fail to realize a lot of people around us are on the brink of food insecurity.”
“Sometimes people may really want help but they have so much going on that they can’t figure out the first step. So our first step is always ‘well, let’s get something. Let’s get you some food.’ And then the second step is figuring out what else can we help you.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. The USDA reported that 13.8 million people were food insecure in 2020. Food insecurity can take many forms some common examples Second Harvest provided include
- A child going without meals during the summers when school is not in session
- A senior living on a fixed income having to choose between groceries and medicine
- Buying the cheapest food available, even if it is not the healthiest to save money
- A college student working to afford school and cutting their grocery budget to afford other needs.
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This Is A Community Effort
Being able to provide millions of meals throughout the year is no small feat and it is impossible without the help of the community. Second Harvest is always in need of volunteers and donations, especially now as they prepare for hurricane season across the state.
Related:What should you do to prepare your business for hurricane season?
“We are always looking for people who want to help,” Curley says excitedly. ” We have a volunteer activity every weekday, Thursdays are reserved for large groups. We have groups of volunteers in here from all different walks of life, helping us sort and repack donations.”
Volunteers work in three-hour shifts where on average they are able to prepare 240 weeks’ worth of food. This food not only helps those regularly affected by lack of food but those displaced by floods, hurricanes, fire, domestic abuse, and more.
Monetary donations are also extremely useful, most people will never experience poverty or food insecurity. According to their website, 97 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs that feed the hungry. One dollar is able to provide four meals through the food bank. They also accept donations of food, diapers, formula, and more.
If you are in need of assistance you can visit no-hunger.org/foodassistance to find the program or pantry nearest you. You can also visit Second Harvest at 215 East Pinhook Rd. in Lafayette for immediate assistance. If you wantto donate or volunteer visit no-hunger.org/ways-give
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Check Out Our Virtual Food Drive Just Click Below To Get Started
We have made donating to the Food Bank easy. No time to shop–you can shop in our virtual grocery store. Holding a Food Drive? The Virtual Food Drive lets you or your group help to end hunger in Northwest Louisiana in an easy, immediate and highly effective way. Remember the Food Bank can multiply your donation with its buying power. Your money will go much further!If your business or company would like to host a Virtual Food Drive please fill out the REGISTRATION FORM and contact us at 318.675.2400 ext. 100 or email us at .
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Second Harvest Food Bank Backpack Program
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Website:
The Backpack Program is designed to reduce childhood hunger by bridging the gap between the school day and the weekend or school holiday. Children who receive free or reduced price school breakfast and lunch may not have enough food at home to escape hunger when school is not in session.
In response, Second Harvest provides backpacks full of healthy foods directly to at-risk children at the end of the week.
If you are interested in supporting our Backpack Program, or if you represent a school interested in joining the Backpack program, please contact Second Harvest Director of Programs and Services
Contact: Kimberly Kupa
More Information: 504-729-6330 or kkrupa@secondharvest.org
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Lafayette fared well enough in a COVID-19 affected economy in 2021, recovering half of jobs that were lost here the previous year and creating
Because some of Southwest Louisianas hungry live outside the easy sight of most Louisianians, their need is not always widely known to others. Hurricane Laura in August 2020 and Hurricane Delta in October 2020 both affected mostly the southwestern corner of the state. Hurricane Ida, which battered southern Louisiana in August 2021, inflicted substantial damage on coastal areas like Port Fourchon, Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes, far from major roadways.
Through the pandemic and during the hurricanes and their aftermaths, Second Harvest partnered with other food pantries and agencies like St. Joseph Diner in Lafayette to prepare and distribute meals. But the partnership with the diner will end in February, as the diner returns to serving meals to the hungry directly in downtown Lafayette. Partnerships with other agencies and food pantries will form or continue.
Scelfo said new programs will also address the needs of the hungry. They will include a farmers initiative program through which Second Harvest will identify local farmers, some low-income, and form partnerships with them to grow produce as cash crops. The farmers will help the farmers establish and improve their farms. In return, the farmers will sell food to Second Harvest, who will distribute it, mostly through their affiliated food banks.
Second Harvest To Launch New Programs To Shuttle Food To Sw Louisiana’s Hungry
Pushing 40 years old, Second Harvest Food Bank in its approaching middle age is initiating new steps to feed Southwestern Louisianas hungry. It wont be easy, given the number of hungry people here.
Paul Scelfo, regional director of Second Harvests Acadiana operation, said there are some 320,000 people identified as hungry or food insecure in the 12 parishes that stretch from St. Mary to the Texas line. they include Acadia, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion.
That number of hungry was taken pre-COVID-19 and prior to three major hurricanes, he said, and COVID-19 and those hurricanes have changed everything.
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Acadiana Takes Larger Role In Providing Food To Flood
Second Harvest Food Banks Acadiana operation has assumed a more intensive role this week in feeding Louisianians statewide in the wake of Hurricane Ida.
Natasha Curley, Second Harvest spokeswoman, said the food bank has moved more than 100,000 pounds of food, water and supplies into areas ravaged by the category 4 hurricane, which made landfall on the Louisiana coastline Sunday with winds of more than 150 mph. Second Harvest Food Bank is an affiliated ministry of the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, a member of Feeding America and a United Way partner agency.
Second Harvest was working with United Way of Acadiana and Catholic Charities of Acadiana on Friday, the first day of a two-week drive for food and supplies at their warehouse at 215 E. Pinhook. Supplies have been forwarded to Vermilion, Lafourche, Terrebone and other parishes affected by the storm.
This is the sixth national disaster weve worked on in the last six months, Curley said. Second Harvest serves 23 parishes from the Texas line to the Mississippi line. Ida adversely affected 14 parishes, she said.
There are still road closures, no power, and water shortages, she said. She said much of the materials were moving to the Houma area for distribution.
Second Harvest has two centers of operation New Orleans and Lafayette for serving the hungry and people who are considered food insecure, or uncertain of their food supply.
Second Harvest Food Bank Says Food Insecurity In Louisiana Is Beyond Urgent
NEW ORLEANS – Second Harvest Food Bank says the need right now in the state is beyond urgent.
Its been feeding around half a million people a month since the pandemic started in the 23 Louisiana parishes it serves. And, this Christmas week is no exception, as people struggling line up for the free drive-thru food pantries in New Orleans.
Its been real tough, its been very challenging, out of work like a lot of other people, I am sure. It definitely has been some trying times and with the help of God, we will all push through it, we will get through it, said Corey Albert of New Orleans.
The food insecurity for our area, for South Louisiana, is beyond urgent. And, it has been for 9 to 10 months. We honestly have never seen anything like this, said Jay Vise with Second Harvest Food Bank.
On top of that, the State says it has responded to an unprecedented food need this year due to the pandemic and recent hurricanes. Louisiana distributed more than $674 million in emergency food assistance. And, according to the Department of Children and Family Services, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program served an all-time high number of households.
Second Harvest Food Bank says its been feeding around half a million people a month since the pandemic started.
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- 1025 S. Norman C. Francis Pkwy.
- New Orleans, LA 70125
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Loyola University New Orleans
Second Harvest Food Bank leads the fight against hunger in South Louisiana by providing food access,advocacy, education, and disaster response. Second Harvest provides food and support to 700+community partners and programs across 23 parishes. Our staff and volunteers distribute theequivalent of more than 32 million meals to 210,000+ people a year.
WHAT YOU DO
Volunteers will assist in the Community Kitchen, helping produce thousands of meals a week fordisaster survivors, senior citizens, and after-school Kids Cafe & Summer Feeding programs.They will assist with meal preparation, packaging meals, creating kids snacks and other kitchenduties as needed. Volunteers will also assist in our warehouse doing repack and food sorting.They will inspect, sort, and repack food and grocery products. Some volunteers load food productonto conveyor belts, some inspect and sort products into itemized categories, and others repackfood items into Second Harvest boxes.
WHAT YOU LEARN
Students will gain insight into the food distribution process. They will also learn how important theirrole as a volunteer is at Second Harvest, as we wouldn’t be able to produce the thousands of mealseach week for disaster survivors, senior citizens, and after-school Kids Cafe & Summer Feedingprograms without their hard work and dedication.
- Other staff members at our agency
PRESERVICE REQUIREMENTS
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Scelfo said those the hungry in the Southwest Louisiana region represent about 25% of the population 1 in 4 families 1 in 3 children is food-insecure. Those numbers people fed by Second Harvest swelled to about 900,000 people between March 2020, which was the start of the pandemic, and March 2021. About 28 million meals were served in 2020 in the western parishes.
Scelfo said food was served through ongoing programs that included mass distribution for emergency responses. That meant distributing mostly shelf-stable food to a lot of people in long lines.
We served them on a regular basis through food insecure situations, he said. Food-insecure people, he said, miss about 170 meals per year. They routinely have to choose between buying food and buying medicine or buying food and paying rent. One in four seniors choose between food, utilities and medicine, according to Second Harvest data.
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For General Inquiries Click Here To Email Us Or Call 504
For questions about a monetary donation, email
Food Donations or for information about hosting a food-collection drive, : Emily Slazer, Food Sourcing Manager 504-729-2846 or
For information about hosting a food drive, or email
Media Inquiries: New Orleans / Southeast Louisiana: Jay Vise 729-2830
Media Inquiries: Lafayette / Acadiana / SW Louisiana: 337-408-2464
How Do Volunteers Sign
Food Sorting and Packing has 2 shifts, Tuesday through Saturday, please log onto our website at . Here you will be able to create an account with us and use our online calendar to self-schedule. Thank you in advance or your assistance and for more information about Food Sorting and Packing, please contact the Volunteer Services Team at 504.729.6337.
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Second Harvest Food Bank Doubles Food Donation
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LULING, La. People across south Louisiana are reaching out for food and meal donations in numbers higher than ever before.
And that’s been going on for nearly two years now.
There are a few reasons why the need is so great.
At Second Harvest Food Bank’s kitchen, it’s busier than ever. Start with jobs lost during a pandemic, throw in four major hurricanes in south Louisiana, then mix in the soaring prices at the grocery store, and you have one continuous 21-month-long disaster.
Definitely an uptick, and then our shortage in our demand on getting supplies. So, the need for these meals and the need for what we’re doing, has definitely been increasing, said Matthew Taylor, the Executive Chef at Second Harvest Food Bank.
Pre-COVID, Second Harvest sent 40 million pounds of food to people in need in 23 parishes, but since March of last year, they’ve doubled that month after month.
Food donations are coming in, but right after the pandemic began, for the first time in its 40-year history, shelves were nearly empty. The National Guard came in to help and are still serving today.
It troubles me that we can’t get to everybody. There are people who we don’t meet and people who fall through the cracks, said Jay Vise, Director of Communications and Marketing at Second Harvest.
This week, Vise was in Dulac serving meals. He met some people whose homes were taken by Hurricane Ida, people who now depend on Second Harvest for a meal.
How Much Does A Delivery Driver Make At Second Harvest Food Bank In Louisiana
Average Second Harvest Food Bank Delivery Driver hourly pay in Louisiana is approximately $13.86, which is 14% below the national average.
Please note that all salary figures are approximations based upon third party submissions to Indeed. These figures are given to the Indeed users for the purpose of generalized comparison only. Minimum wage may differ by jurisdiction and you should consult the employer for actual salary figures.
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Food Sorting And Packing
Second Harvest Food Bank is leading the fight against hunger in South Louisiana by providing food access, advocacy, education, and disaster response. Second Harvest provides food and support to 700+ community partners and programs across 23 parishes.
Through our food distribution programs, community kitchen meal service, nutrition education, and public benefits assistance, we are helping to create pathways out of poverty. Every year, Second Harvest secures millions of pounds of food that otherwise would have gone to waste. Our work helps ensure that these meals make it to the dinner tables of thousands of families struggling with hunger in South Louisiana.
How Much Does A Cook Make At Second Harvest Food Bank In Louisiana
Average Second Harvest Food Bank Cook hourly pay in Louisiana is approximately $14.32, which is 8% above the national average.
Please note that all salary figures are approximations based upon third party submissions to Indeed. These figures are given to the Indeed users for the purpose of generalized comparison only. Minimum wage may differ by jurisdiction and you should consult the employer for actual salary figures.
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Feeding The Hungry: Each Month Second Harvest Food Bank Distributes 39 Million Pounds Of Food Across South La
- Volunteers from Second Harvest Food Bank of Acadiana distribute food to residents during food distribution for Southwest Louisiana. With warehouses in New Orleans and Lafayette, Second Harvest distributes more than 39 million pounds of food and groceries to 700-plus partners and programs across South Louisiana, reaching at least 100,000 people each month.
One in five households in Louisiana experience food security, but Second Harvest Food Bank is working to come up with ways to provide better access to affordable and nutritious food for those in need.
In Southwest Louisiana, Jeff Davis Parish had the highest rate with 18.6 percent of the population being food insecure or highly vulnerable to food insecurity in 2020, according to the latest data provided by Second Harvest.
In Calcasieu Parish, 17.8 percent of the residents did not have reliable access to affordable and nutritious food with 17.3 percent considered to be food insecure in Beauregard Parish. Cameron Parish had the lowest rate of food insecurity at 13.7 percent.
Second Harvest Food Bank
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Drago Cvitanovich 91st Birthday Celebration to Benefit Second Harvest Food Bank
WHO: The Cvitanovich Family, Owners of Dragos Restaurants and Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana
WHAT: Tommy Cvitanovich, owner of Dragos and his family will celebrate the 91st birthday of its founder, Drago Cvitanovich this year with a special fundraiser that will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana. The event will be held at Dragos Restaurant in Metairie and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank to lead the fight against hunger in south Louisiana. The restaurant is also offering a to-go pick up station where orders may be placed from a special Family Meals-To-Go bulk to-go menu offerings so that families can enjoy Sunday dinner together. In addition to the sales on 7/14, Dragos will also collect private donations at the restaurant received the week before and the week after the event.
The Family-To-Go Menu includes the following options:
Dragos Famous Charbroiled Oysters $11.95 Half Dozen, $17.95 Dozen
Shrimp Po-Boy $12.00
Spring Salad Mix Fresh assorted greens tossed with candied walnuts, cranberries, bleu cheese and a sweet and spicy vinaigrette. $28.00
Crab Meat Mediterranean Salad Crisp romaine tossed with a light vinaigrette and Italian cheese-style dressing, then topped with jumbo, lumped crabmeat. $36.00
WHEN: Sunday, July 14 10 am 3 pm
Metairie, LA
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