FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Amid Stark Increase in Food Insecurity, No Kid Hungry Announces $2.8 Million in Grants to Louisiana Schools, Nonprofits Serving Free Meals
Contact: Johanna Elsemore at jelsemore@strength.org
New Orleans, Louisiana – As 2020 draws to a close, No Kid Hungry announced a total of $2.8 million in grants this year to schools and community organizations across the state that are providing free meals for kids during the ongoing pandemic. The investment comes as part of No Kid Hungry’s continuing effort to ensure all children in Louisiana remain nourished and healthy.
Across America, families are facing unprecedented levels of food insecurity as the coronavirus has led to lost jobs and wages. In Louisiana, more than 1 million people could face hunger this year, including 35% of all children – the highest rate of any state in the nation.
“With food insecurity and poverty skyrocketing amid the ongoing pandemic, devastating natural disasters and other challenges, it’s more important than ever to support the hard-working staff and volunteers that have been constantly adapting and innovating their programs to make meals available to students and families in communities across the state,” said No Kid Hungry Louisiana Director Rhonda Jackson. “Especially during this crisis, school meals are a critical source of nutrition and comfort for students. We’re always inspired by the folks working tirelessly to serve kids in their community, and proud to be able to support their incredible programs.”
Virtually learning and hybrid models make it more challenging to reach students with the meals they need. These grants from No Kid Hungry help school districts in both rural and urban parts of Louisiana with the added staffing and equipment costs required to expand and adapt their programs to meet increased need and operate safely under these unprecedented circumstances.
Since March, No Kid Hungry has granted to the following schools and nonprofits:
- Beauregard Parish School Board
- Calcasieu Parish School Board
- Caldwell Parish School Board
- Diocese of Shreveport Child Nutrition Program
- East Baton Rogue Parish School District
- East Carroll Parish School Board
- ENCORE Academy
- Evangeline Parish School Board
- FirstLine Schools
- Fresh Food Factor
- Grant Parish School Board
- IDEA Public Schools NOLA, Inc.
- Inspire NOLA Charter Schools
- Jefferson Davis Parish School Board
- Lafayette Parish School System
- Lincoln Preparatory School
- Linwood Public Charter School
- Livingston Parish Public Schools
- LPSB Food Service
- Monroe City
- Morehouse Parish School Board
- Recovery School District
- Sankofa CDC
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana
- Helena Parish School District
- James Parish School Board
- John The Baptist Parish Schools
- Tangipahoa Parish School System
- Three O’Clock Project
- Terrebonne Parish School District
- The Einstein Group Inc.
- B. Glencoe Charter School
- Washington Parish School Board
- West Feliciana Parish School Board
- Winn Parish School Board
- Young Men Olympian Junior Benevolent Association