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Inside Northside January-February 2023
NOURISHING BODIES AND STRENGTHENING SPIRITS
WRITTEN BY: HILARY CREAMER
The Northshore Food Bank has been nourishing the bodies and strengthening the spirits of St. Tammany residents since 1984. Originally called the Food Bank Inc. of St. Tammany and supported by local churches, the nonprofit has since grown into a larger facility in Covington. The move came early in 2020, just in time to provide the Northshore’s growing community with food and basic essentials.
The food bank’s facility on 30th Avenue distributes about 1 million pounds of food annually. That equates to roughly 300 individuals and families served each week. Recipients live at or below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines.
“We are committed to not only helping food insecure families put meals on their dinner tables, but we are also providing healthier food options too,” said Northshore Food Bank CEO Yvette Roussel. “Understanding that oftentimes healthier items are typically more expensive, food insecure families may not have the opportunity to make these purchases. Fresh produce, whole grains and lowto-no-sodium or sugar items are now something we try to consistently offer to help in this area.”
It takes a coordinated and fluid approach to consistently adapt to the ebb and flow of donations and distributions. The food bank’s slogan, “Get help. Give help,” takes form in a variety of programs that meet participants’ and donors’ needs.
The Staple Box food program includes carefully selected items from 18 food categories, including soups, beans, corn, fruit, cereals and peanut butter. Some toiletry items may be included, and depending on the state of donations, a “Lagniappe” box containing bread, dairy, fresh produce or frozen foods may be added. Individuals receive 40 pounds of food in a month; families receive 70 pounds.
The T2 Box food program meets the needs of food-insecure residents with diabetes. With the growing number of diabetics and pre-diabetics in the community, this program includes foods with low-to-no salt or sugar. The Northshore Food Bank hopes to expand the T2 Box program while an overall desire for healthier food donations is growing.
A newly added garden adjacent to the facility provides supplemental seasonal produce. Volunteers and the LSU AgCenter help maintain the garden, and local gardeners donate harvest overflow from home gardens.
The Feed the Gap program slightly alters the eligibility requirements to
help those in need get ahead. The program serves the Asset Limited, Income Restricted, Employed (ALICE) population who are just shy of meeting the standard eligibility requirements and are living paycheck to paycheck.
The Kid Pack Program includes kid-friendly items that are simple and safe for kids to prepare. This program serves school-aged children who are missing valuable nutrition from school meals while school is out for seasonal breaks.
The Community Cupboard program serves those in need who can’t physically visit the Northshore Food Bank facility. The program is a community collaboration supported by local organizations such as St. Tammany Cancer Center, COAST, Knights of Columbus, NAMI, Safe Harbor and Family Promise. For example, the St. Tammany Cancer Center Therapeutic Food Pantry includes food items that are easily digestible and palatable like tortillas, instant potatoes and pasta sides.
The annual Holiday Meal program is a special box with food items needed to prepare a traditional holiday meal. This box includes turkey, yams, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and dessert. This program usually starts on Nov. 1 and runs through the Thanksgiving holiday.
Northshore Food Bank offers several ways for the community to support its mission. The most common way is donating food items. Approximately one-third of donated food comes from individual donations and food drives. Donations are especially important after the holiday season when giving tends to slow down.
“As people get back to their routines after the busy holiday season, donations always tend to slow down for us. Food insecurity is not seasonal, so donations are always needed and appreciated throughout the year,” Roussel said.
Roussel said incorporating a food drive into your birthday, anniversary or office party is a great way to help.
Monetary donations help cover overhead costs and are used to purchase food items when food donations are low. Cash donations are tax-deductible and can be made on Northshore Food Bank’s website.
Corporate donations and sponsorships for special fundraising events are also welcome. Northshore Food Bank is involved with several fundraising events throughout the year, but it hosts two big events – an annual golf tournament in May and “Pallets with Purpose” warehouse gala in November.
Shopping at the Northshore Food Bank’s Resale Shop also supports the agency’s mission. The Resale Shop is located just around the corner from the warehouse at 830 N. Columbia St. Visit northshorefoodbank.org/resale to learn more.
Volunteering is another way to help. Volunteers sort donations, pack boxes, make deliveries or pick-ups, or help out in the office, garden or at special events. Alternatively, you can volunteer at the Resale Shop. Students can gain service hours by volunteering or hosting a food drive.
Mike Moore recently reached 1,000 volunteer service hours at the food bank. “It is the right thing to do. Jesus said when we help the needy, we also help him. It is a good cause and there are hungry people,” he said.
