Impact and Give Back

Food forLife

BY LIESEL SCHMIDT

Over the course of the past decade or so, more and more attention has been brought to how the foods we eat directly affect our bodies and our health. Food is no longer just fuel; it’s medicine. Eating the right diet can stave off illness, cure health issues, even prevent chronic diseases or medical conditions that could devastate quality of life. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to these foods when they need them the most, and therein was the very inspiration for the Therapeutic Food Pantry (TFP) at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

Opening the doors of its first facility in 1971, Mary Bird Perkins was created to fill the need for a community-owned, non-profit radiation center in the greater Baton Rouge area. In 1998, Mary Bird Perkins was asked to begin offering services on the Northshore to meet the needs of residents in this community. Currently, there are seven locations in operation throughout Southeast Louisiana and Southwest Mississippi, serving the needs of these communities for cancer care.

Entwined in the care it offers is something so much simpler than the technologically driven treatment plans: food. “The inspiration for the TFP resulted from patients needing access to quality foods and ingredients during the course of cancer treatment,” explains Meredith Bechac, MS, RD, LDN, a Registered Dietitian at Mary Bird Perkins. “We saw the need to combat food insecurity within the communities we serve. The TFP helps to bridge these gaps and is so important in the fact that it not only provides patients and their families with food items they need, but it also provides food specifically tailored with radiation and chemotherapy side effects in mind. Our pantry is curated by a Registered Dietitian who provides individualized nutrition education and touchpoints during each visit, which makes this program unique.” At its core, the mission at Mary Bird Perkins is to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer. The TFP plays directly into that mission, working throughout the year to serve the needs of 250 unique patients. Since its inception in January of 2020, in fact, the organization has distributed food at 2,000 visits.

With as great a need as it serves, the TFP naturally faces challenges. “Our biggest challenge is simply keeping food on the shelves!” says Bechac. “There are so many patients in need of this service.”

Sandria, a patient who received assistance through the TFP, says, “There is nothing wrong with asking or taking help when it’s offered. We are our brothers’ keepers, and I feel that it’s important for people to understand that a lot of kind, generous people have donated time, food and energy to help see to the needs of their fellow man. Unfortunately, the stigma of asking for help is hard for many. We don’t know where they’ve been in life. But it’s okay to accept help from others. It took me a long time to learn that lesson.”

grant funding,” Bechac notes. “We receive philanthropy dollars from our wonderful local community. Many cancer patients face various barriers to care, including financial and food insecurities. Through the generosity of donors, we are able to provide support services that make a tremendous difference in patient outcomes.” Financial support is always helpful, but the TFP also welcomes donations from the community for food items, including fresh produce and shelf stable items.

Like most community organizations, the TFP experienced the effects of COVID. “Due to the strain of the pandemic, we noticed an increased need for the food pantry,” Bechac explains. “Many patients were nervous to go to the grocery store or had recently lost their jobs and were experiencing unexpected financial burdens. The TFP helped to provide patients with a sense of relief, while allowing them to maintain a nutritious diet.”

Even with this increased need—and, in part, because of it—the TFP grew and was able to provide for its patients. “Over the past year, we have been able to explore community partnerships,” says Bechac. “This year, we have been able to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans to expand our offerings in the food pantry, which has been essential in continuing to best serve our patients.” As a member of the TFP team at Mary Bird Perkins, Bechac is part of the impact being made. “I love working directly with patients daily and helping to improve their outcomes,” she says. “This includes educating patients on the importance of quality nutrition during cancer treatment, helping them meet weight goals, teaching individuals how to utilize tube feedings or providing fresh fruits and vegetables from our pantry. Nutrition is such an important cornerstone of cancer care.”

In feeding their patients, the TFP at Mary Bird Perkins is feeding them more than just food—they feed them life. They feed them hope.

For more information about the program or to make donations, visit marybirdperkins.org or call 985.276.6831 or email at mbechac@marybird.com.