Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana

About the Food Bank The Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana is the largest distributor of donated food and hunger relief organization in the region since 1997. Last year, through the collaboration of 150 collaborating non-profit food providing organizations, we distributed 15 million pounds of food with a value of $18 million within our service area of Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto, Red River, Webster, Claiborne and Bienville Parishes. We provide food through several different programs: Food Distribution Program, Senior Box Program, Back Pack Program, Mobile Food Pantry, Kids Cafe After School Meal and Summer Feeding Program. Providing more service than almost any other non-profit organization in Northwest Louisiana, we distribute food to 75,000 clients each year. Each client receives food approximately 8 times per year from the Food Bank free of charge. The Food Bank provides these services and products to all eligible individuals, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, physical and or mental ability. We ensure that our partners comply with all applicable State, Federal and local legal requirements through inspection and contractual agreement. Each distributing collaborating partner organization uses client tracking software to prevent duplication of service and is monitored to avoid program misuse.

Programs Food and Emergency Box Distribution: The Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana distributed over 15 million pounds of food with a value of over $18,000,000 to more than 77,500 low income and below poverty level individuals in the seven parishes in Northwest Louisiana. Disaster Relief: As a disaster responder we provide immediate assistance to our member agencies, pop-up and faith based shelters and other individuals. During the 2015-2016 flooding we distributed over $225,000 of food, water, MRE’s and supplies to disaster victims and food banks. Senior Program: Each month a box of pantry staple foods was delivered to over 1,000 low income seniors throughout our 7 parishes. Mobile Pantry: In 2017, 1,539,545 pounds of perishable and non-perishable food was distributes to rural clients on a monthly basis. Kids Cafe® After School Meals: Through a partnership with after school programs such as the Volunteers of America’s Lighthouse Program and others, 73,864 free hot meals and nutritional education were provided hungry children in after-school programs. BackPack™ Program: 880 chronically hungry children were provided with a weekly backpack of food to take home for the weekend and holidays. The 7-10 pound bag includes items such as granola bars, fruit juice, and pop-top canned food. Summer Food Service Program: Provided 15,319 free nutritional breakfasts and 24,423 free lunches for hungry children that had no access to free food during the summer months when school is not in session. Food is distributed through summer programs such as the Shreveport Libraries, Boys and Girls Clubs and Faith Based Programs. Delivering Good: A national program that distributed new clothing and toys to children in need.