ROUSES_Winter2023_Magazine Pages-web

Photo Greater Baton Rouge Food bank, brfoodbank.org

their situation,” he says. “Anyone is welcome to seek assistance.” Meanwhile in Louisiana, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank has operated hunger and relief organizations since 1984. Last year it gave away more than 10 million pounds of food to over one hundred partners working the frontlines in food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, child care centers and senior centers. “Our programs are aimed at meeting individ uals, children and families where they are by providing food assistance and educational support to improve their position in life long term,” said Mike Manning, the organiza tion’s president and CEO. Doing so, he adds, is a community-wide effort. “Louisiana leads the country in both child and senior hunger. In our 11-parish service area, one in six children are food insecure, meaning over 35,000 children in our community are not able to access three meals a day. Hunger is something we can address. It is curable, but it takes all of us to make it happen.” Rouses Markets is doing its part in the fight against hunger through its Food Bank Assis tance Program — a year-round operation across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama

for the Family Medical Leave Act, which provides workers with job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons, and extends health insurance coverage. “She found herself in a pantry for the first time in her life, bringing home food for her daughter,” says Ledger. Months later, she returned to the pantry to say thank you, and to let them know that she was back at work, that her baby was healthy, and that she no longer needed food assistance. “We see people in all kinds of situations. More folks are susceptible than ever before.” For someone suddenly in a situation where they need help, Ledger suggests visiting the Feeding the Gulf Coast website, which can direct individuals to mobile services and pantries based on ZIP code. Volunteers there can also help those in need sign up for SNAP benefits. But whether someone qualifies for that or not, the pantries are there to help. “You can show up at a pantry location, no questions asked,” says Ledger. “You don't need to bring anything with you.” Certain federal programs and resources are acces sible with minimal to no paperwork. “Our goal is to ensure anyone can get access to food without the need to prove

that provides meals to those facing food insecurity. With the support of generous customers and vendor partners, the program has achieved a remarkable milestone: donating almost 50 million meals to local communities since its inception. The program’s formula is simple and effective: Rouses collects both nonperish able food items and monetary donations at stores. Every contribution, whether a can of beans or a dollar bill, is funneled right back into the community. The collected resources bolster the operations of local food banks, food pantries and community refrigera tors spread across the three states, creating a network of support for individuals and families grappling with hunger. Participating is made easy for the public. A visit to a Rouses store presents two straight forward options: Either scan a coupon at the register to add a small donation to your bill, or choose to purchase a pre-packed Brown Bag filled with canned goods for donation. The process is designed with the regular shopping experience in mind, making charity a simple choice. The food banks are in direct liaison with Rouses stores, ensuring a steady flow of

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