One of the larger capital outlays proposed for this year’s state budget is a request for a $15 million grant to Louisiana’s five Food Banks.Prior to last year, the Pelican State was one of the states in the union not to fund its local food banks--and considerable opposition exists to extending funding to them this year.
For example, one state legislator from Lafayette declared in committee last year that her region was wealthy and did not need some handout program, only to learn from the representatives of Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana that her city’s volunteer firemen depended on the food bank to supplement with provisions what they were losing in income when the donated their time to safeguarding the public.
For many middle class families devastated by the floodwaters of Katrina who had never received a handout of any sort, Second Harvest Food Bank provided the groceries so many families could eat--when income loss or simple lack of access to available stores made usual shopping impossible.
It is a point that Natalie Jayroe, the President of Second Harvest Food Bank, made in an interview with Bayoubuzz.com.
Bayoubuzz.com:Most press accounts concentrate with Second Harvest's work with the poor. Less known is your food bank's role in aiding "middle class" victims of Katrina, especially in Lakeview. Can you expand on that?
Jayroe:The majority of the people Second Harvest serves have always been working, retired or disabled people; mothers trying to afford daycare and food, senior citizens faced with high healthcare costs, men who have lost their jobs, children who go to school hungry. Second Harvest helps volunteer firemen and servicemen’s families.
However, according to recent surveys of member agencies (the faith-based and nonprofit organizations that Second Harvest distributes to), 75% of the people they are now serving did not require help before Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. The face of hunger in south Louisiana has really changed, and people who had never needed help before depend on the food bank for vital nutrition.
This includes tens of thousands of people in St. Bernard, Placquemines, St. Tammany, New Iberia, Jefferson, Cameron, Vermillion and Calcasieu; indeed virtually all of the 23 parish area that Second Harvest serves. I have personally heard from many people who are so angry that they have to ask for help. I also believe that the people of Louisiana have a true understanding of how close we all are to disaster, and how important it is for us to help each other.
Bayoubuzz.com:Ms. Jayroe, the various food banks in Louisiana sought 15 million dollars from the Legislature last year and are again this year. They had not done so previously. Was there a change in funding elsewhere after the storm that made this request necessary?
Jayroe:In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita the five food banks of the state realized that Louisiana faced a hunger crises. The USDA commodities that food banks received from the LA Dept of Ag declined precipitously. (For instance in 2004 Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana distributed 7 million pounds of USDA commodities. In fy 2008 it is on track to distribute 2.7 million).
Of course, with the complete disruption of the infrastructure of south Louisiana , and the need for north Louisiana to extend its limited resources to the care of evacuees, local food and fund donors were uncertain and extremely stretched. Half of the states in the country were already working in some type of relationship with their food banks. The food banks of Louisiana had not asked for help previously, yet they played (and will play) a critical part in the State’s disaster response efforts.
Bayoubuzz.com:Has the governor committed support for the funding?
Jayroe:We have spoken to the Governor and to several members of his staff about hunger in Louisiana, its impact on public health and productivity, the Louisiana Food Bank Association’s efficiency as a public/private partner, the fact that all of the money is spent in Louisiana, and the reason our request is urgent. While no commitments have been made, our conversations have been very positive.
Bayoubuzz.com:What is Second Harvest's goal in the next five years as South Louisiana continues to recover from the storms?
The mission of Second Harvest, which is one of the five members of the Louisiana Food Bank Association, is to lead the fight against hunger in South Louisiana through food distribution, advocacy, education, and disaster response.
Our 5 Year Strategic Goals are to purchase enough land for GNOA to meet its goals for the next 20 years and build a facility no larger than 150,000 square feet, subject to board approval, to build an organization and leadership that can raise and sustain the food, funds and volunteers needed for a successful operation, to increase distribution to 100 pounds per person in poverty (approximately 47,444,000 lbs), to strengthen the member agency system sufficiently to provide service throughout all 23 parishes, to advocate for strengthened federal nutrition and state food purchase programs, to actively seek out and participate in partnerships that educate low-income children and adults about healthy eating, and to maintain a strong disaster plan and be prepared to assist in disaster response within our service territory.
