Q2 Quarterly Newsletter
Feeding Louisiana Tapped to Help with Medicaid Unwinding
Feeding Louisiana has recently been awarded a grant to provide assistance to individuals seeking to complete or apply for Louisiana Medicaid.
Grant funds will be used to hire 14 Medicaid Outreach Coordinators who will work closely with the state's food banks and pantries to help their clients navigate the complex Medicaid renewal process and maintain their coverage.
This new partnership will be key to providing eligible Louisiana residents with opportunities to stay more connected with resources for their health.
Advocacy For Hunger Relief in Upcoming Legislative Session
During this session, Feeding Louisiana will be closely monitoring bills and resolutions that could either impede or facilitate families in creating a path toward healthy, hunger-free lives.
In addition, several regional Food Banks have submitted requests for funding via the Capital Outlay Bill. If approved and funded, this capital would be utilized to enhance the infrastructure of food banks, allowing them to better serve their communities.
Feeding Louisiana is hopeful that a significant amount of funding will be allocated towards increasing food procurement, which would improve the availability of nutritious food options to individuals and families in need.
The Regular Louisiana Legislative Session of 2023 will begin on Monday, April 10, 2023, and is expected to conclude by Thursday, June 8, 2023.
Feeding Louisiana Awarded Grant to Increase Digital SNAP Outreach
Feeding America has awarded $75,000 to Feeding Louisiana to increase digital SNAP outreach among underserved populations throughout the state.
The focus of this grant will address barriers to access by providing more resources for SNAP application assistance.
Already with funds from this grant, Feeding Louisiana was able to purchase Recite Me, a website accessibility software to increase accessibility and language options for all users on its website.
Member Food Bank Spotlight
Northwest Louisiana Adds Refrigerated Van to its Fleet
The new van helps the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana better serve food-insecure neighbors in rural areas such as Cullen, Minden, and Springhill, Louisiana.
The refrigeration keeps retail partner donations at a food-safe temperature until delivered to the food pantries.
Central Louisiana Searching for AmeriCorps Team Member for the Summer
This is a perfect opportunity for college students and high school upperclassmen who plan to go on to college after graduation.
The summer session begins May 15 and goes through mid-August. The application deadline is May 1.
Applicants must be at least 17 years old to serve. Learn more at www.fbcenla.org/americorps.
Northeast Louisiana Continues Senior Food Box Program
The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana’s Senior Box Program continues to help local senior citizens living on fixed incomes stretch their food budgets by providing them with groceries each month.
“This program helps me make ends meet and prepare certain meals…I truly would love to express my gratitude and thankfulness to the food bank.”
- Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana senior client.
Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank Substantially Improves Repacking Operations
The innovative and newly improved bulk repackaging operation at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank will help double the organization's capacity from 2 million pounds to 4 million pounds a year of bulk dry foods being repacked into customer-sized packaging.
Second Harvest Prepares to Open Its Third Warehouse June 2023
This warehouse, located on Hwy 397 in Lake Charles, will enable the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana to more effectively serve the Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson David Parishes.
The food bank is also waiting for the Board of Health to permit its community kitchen in Vermillion Parish. This kitchen is designed to serve 2,500 meals a day and will open in time to serve the Summer Feeding programs in Acadiana.
Snap Update: Applications Will Soon Be Made Easier for Seniors
Louisiana has plans to launch the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) in the summer designed to increase SNAP participation among low-income elderly populations by simplifying the application and certification process.
With this initiative, Louisiana aims to reduce food insecurity among the elderly and improve their overall health and well-being.
The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services website is expected to provide more information about ESAP by July 2023.
National Conference in the Big Easy
The National Conference of Feeding America is set to take place in New Orleans from April 18 to 20, 2023.
This yearly event provides food banks and other network leaders with a valuable opportunity to enhance working relationships and delve into crucial topics addressing hunger. In addition, the conference acknowledges and celebrates the outstanding achievements of America's feeding organizations.
Legislative Watch
State Representative Kyle M. Green, Jr, District 83, has introduced HB282 which would allow all public school students free breakfast and lunch.
This bill is pending with the House Education Committee.
New Mexico, California, Colorado, Maine, and Minnesota have all passed legislation to require free school meals for all students, sometimes known as the universal school meals law.
