Happy Holidays for Everyone

Winter holidays are a time to spend with your family and friends, a time to take a break from the everyday, and enjoy a little down time away from work. However, for some, the holidays can be a very stressful time.  

For our neighbors experiencing food insecurity, this is especially true. For parents whose children have long holiday breaks, these neighbors incur the added expense of preparing more meals than when their children are in school. This added expense is in addition to the expectations of Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.  

The good news is that with your help, these stressors can be lessened. Through Louisiana’s five regional food banks and their affiliate food pantries and diners, you can make a difference in the lives of food insecure neighbors in your region. Through volunteering and donating to these regional hubs, you can brighten the holidays for the nearly 700,000 food insecure people in Louisiana.  

In Louisiana we have 5 regional food banks: Second Harvest Food Bank serves neighbors from New Orleans to Lake Charles in the Southern part of the state, Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank serves 11 parishes surrounding EBR, Food Bank of Central Louisiana, based in Alexandria, serves 10 parishes in the center of the state, Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana serves 12 parishes, many of which are mostly rural, and Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana serves 7 parishes and is the largest distributor of donated foods in those 7 parishes.  

Each of these organizations needs your help. Please consider donating or volunteering at your nearest food bank or affiliated diners or food pantries. There are volunteer opportunities for all ages and abilities. At this joy filled time of year, your help is crucial to your neighbors who are experiencing food insecurity.  

Happy Holidays to you all and thank you for your generosity and grace. You can make a difference.