Grant helps Food Bank deliver in Tensas

A mobile food pantry distribution was held April 6 at the old Waterproof High School in Tensas Parish thanks to the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana and a grant from the Humana Foundation to assist with mobile food pantries in Madison and Tensas parishes. 

The investment will help The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana improve access to nutritious food by providing direct assistance to rural communities, including households disproportionately affected by hunger.

The mobile food pantry program serving Madison and Tensas Parishes will provide nutritious food to about 450 families each month beginning in April of 2021. Details on these and other food distributions can be found at foodbanknela.org.

Mobile food pantries are a promising solution for addressing challenges, such as distributing foods that are more perishable and reaching underserved communities. The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana has been able to adapt mobile pantry programs to adhere to CDC guidelines and reach communities in need.

“As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, over 66,000 of our neighbors in Northeast Louisiana are facing hunger,” said Jean Toth, Executive Director of Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana.  “Throughout our response to this health and economic crisis, mobile food pantries have become a critical solution to helping us reach our neighbors in need. We are grateful to The Humana Foundation for supporting our efforts of expanding mobile food pantries to better serve our rural communities, which experience high rates of food insecurity.”

“Improving food security is one of The Humana Foundation’s core areas of focus. In communities where nutritious foods are inaccessible due to proximity, financial circumstances, and other barriers, this gap leads to preventable chronic diet-related conditions like diabetes and heart disease. The Humana Foundation is proud to continue our partnership with Feeding America as we work to achieve greater health equity and our shared goal of ensuring that everyone has the nourishment necessary to achieve and sustain positive health and well-being outcomes,” said Walter Woods, CEO of The Humana Foundation.

To learn more about how you can join the fight to end hunger, visit foodbanknela.org.