The Food Bank of NELA

FOOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BIG PART of Beatrice’s life. When not cooking for her family, she helped feed patients for years as a nutritionist at St. Francis Medical Center until she retired. Now she enjoys spending her time with and cooking for her greatgrandchildren.

Beatrice lives on a low, fixed-income and has to carefully budget to make ends meet. To make things more complicated, she also follows a special diet due to her high blood pressure. And she’s not alone. In fact, many seniors in Louisiana are struggling to put food on the table and have chronic illnesses.

According to the 2023 Feeding America’s State of Senior Hunger study, Louisiana has the highest food insecurity rate among seniors in the country. The State of Senior Hunger study sheds light on the extent to which food insecurity – or having limited access to enough food to live a healthy lifestyle – affects individuals aged 60 and older.

According to the study, the food insecurity rate among seniors in Louisiana is 13.4 percent, or 1 in 7 seniors, which is almost double the national rate of 7 percent. Hunger among older adults is especially troubling due to the negative impacts on their health. Seniors have unique nutrition needs, and food insecure seniors are at risk of poorer health outcomes and mental issues.

“Our region continues to have some of the worst poverty and hunger statistics in the country,” said Jean Toth, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana. “With the high cost of groceries and living expenses, too many seniors in our community simply do not have enough money to cover the cost of their groceries.”

The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana is the largest hunger-relief organization in the region and provides food assistance to thousands of seniors struggling with hunger each month through its programs and partners:

• Senior Program: The Food Bank’s Senior program provides low-income seniors with nutritious groceries each month.

• Community Partners: The Food Bank provides food to a network of about 55 community partners who operate food pantries and meal programs throughout 12 parishes.

• SNAP Outreach: The Food Bank’s SNAP Outreach Coordinator can help determine if someone is eligible for benefits, and can complete applications by phone.

Thanks to generous community support, the Food Bank is able to feed local seniors like Beatrice. She joined the Food Bank’s Senior Program three years ago and receives groceries each month. Beatrice isn’t always able to afford to visit the grocery store, but she has continually had food on her shelves thanks to the Food Bank.

“The food box is a blessing,” she said. “Without the food box I get, I would have to make decisions between getting my medications or going to the store.”

You can help seniors in our community who struggle with hunger by supporting the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana. Learn more, make a financial donation, or sign up to volunteer by visiting foodbanknela.org.