Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana- Shreveport

Your donation makes a difference! Providing more clients with service than almost any other non-profit organization in North Louisiana, the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana is the largest distributor of donated food for Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, Red River and DeSoto Parishes. We acquire, sort, warehouse and distribute food to over 150 partner non-profit organizations, homeless shelters, soup kitchens and churches which then give the food to 75,000 people in need annually. People affected by hunger in our community are often hard-working adults, children and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and are forced to go without food for several meals, or even days.

For every $1 donated to the Food bank, we can provide $10 in food value. Our high return of investment of allows us to operate efficiently and effectively. We have an extremely low administration cost of only 5% with 95 cents of every $1 donated is used for our programs.

OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE
Food and Emergency Distribution:
In our last fiscal year, we distributed 15 million pounds of food with a value of $18,000,000 to more than 75,000 children, women, men, seniors, the homeless, disabled, unemployed and underemployed individuals living below the federal poverty level in the seven parishes of northwest Louisiana.

Disaster Relief:
As a disaster responder we provide immediate assistance to our partner organizations, sister food banks and individuals. We distributed $250,000 of water and food during the 2015 and 2016 spring flood disaster victims. In 2017 - 2020 we provided over $400,000 in food and water to the Food Banks in Beaumont Texas, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and South Louisiana for hurricane victims.

Senior Box Program:
Each month we deliver a box of pantry staple foods to over 1,000 low income seniors throughout our seven parishes.

Mobile Pantry:
Perishable and non-perishable food are distributed to rural clients on a monthly basis.

Kids Cafe® After School Meal Program:
The Food Banks provides meals for the Volunteers of America's Lighthouse Program, Caddo Parish Libraries, FDDOC Winner's Circle, Youth Enrichment Program, and David Raines Health Center for hungry children in after-school programs.

BackPack™ Program:
Chronically hungry children are provided with a weekly backpack of food to take home for the weekend and holidays. Each 7-10 pound bag includes items such as cereal, milk, fruit juice, and pop-top canned food.

Summer Food Service Program:
Nutritional breakfasts and lunches are provided for hungry children that have no access to free food during the summer months when school is not in session. Food is distributed through summer programs such as Boys and Girls Clubs and faith based summer programs.

Delivering Goods:
A national program that distributes new household items, clothing and toys to low income individuals in need.

Testimonials

A message from Back Pack Student - TiErica Julian

My name is TiErica Julian and I am 9 years old. I just finished the 3rd grade at Summer Grove Elementary School. Now I am a 4th grader.

Ever since my dad died and I had to switch schools, someone at Summer Grove has been putting food in my back pack on Fridays so I can have something to eat over the weekend.

My favorite thing to eat is the cereal. It makes me feel energetic. I've always wondered how they knew I was hungry, because I didn't tell anyone. Miss. Mims thinks the food helps make my grades better. She is now my mom.

I thought the food came from the school, but now I know that the food comes from the Food Bank. So, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting the Food bank and me.

When I grow up, I am going to help other children who don't have enough to eat.

Belinda's Story:
I worked for the state for 40 years. The last few years I spent as a case worker - approving food stamp applications for folks on the other side of the desk. I always said to myself back then, "Now, you are only a few paychecks away from being on that other side." I never thought I'd actually end up on the other side - that someday I'd be the one in need of help. But my world changed, and here I am.
A few years ago - out of the blue - I was given guardianship over my two grandchildren, Aaron and Carson. At the time, I had enough money to feed myself, but suddenly I had two growing boys to feed too. Even though I was working full time and living off retirement savings, my income was not going to be enough. Food was going to be a problem.
During the school year I could make my dollars stretch. School provided them with free breakfast and lunch so I only had to worry about dinner. But as that first school year came to the end I grew anxious knowing I'd have to provide them each with two extra meals.
At first I was embarrassed to ask for help. I'm 64 years old and have never asked for any type of assistance. But this was beyond me...