NEW ORLEANS (press launch) – Blue Cross and Blue Protect of Louisiana, Wholesome Blue and Entergy have dedicated to sponsor 200,000 meals at meals banks statewide. Volunteers from these organizations will pack the meals at a collection of occasions benefitting Louisiana meals banks in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is a Nationwide Day of Service.
“We all know meals insecurity is a problem for a lot of households in our state, and the stresses of the previous two years have left many Louisianians struggling to entry wholesome meals,” mentioned Michael Tipton, head of Group Relations for Blue Cross and Blue Protect of Louisiana and president of the Blue Cross Basis. “We’re trying ahead to bringing our staff collectively, together with our companions at Entergy and Wholesome Blue, to meet our mission to enhance the well being and lives of Louisianians by giving our time to our communities and, in doing so, honoring Dr. King’s legacy of service.”
“Enhancing well being for everybody throughout Louisiana is feasible, and it begins with addressing our residents’ most important must drive improved well being outcomes – notably growing entry to nutritious meals,” mentioned Dr. Christy Valentine Theard, president of Wholesome Blue Louisiana. “Wholesome Blue’s collaboration with Blue Cross and Blue Protect of Louisiana and Entergy is only one means we will make a profound influence on enhancing lives, and we sit up for many extra alternatives throughout this new yr to redefine well being, reimagine the system and strengthen our Louisiana communities.”
Final yr, volunteers from Blue Cross, Wholesome Blue and Vantage Well being Plan went above and past their initial commitment to sponsor 125,000 meals in 2022, donating more than 170,000 meals to meals banks statewide. Blue Cross Crew Blue volunteers have packed greater than half 1,000,000 meals since 2018.
This yr, Entergy is teaming up with Blue Cross and Wholesome Blue to extend the statewide meal dedication. The organizations are becoming a member of in honor of their recognition as the 2 Louisiana companies included amongst The Civic 50. That is an annual designation from the Factors of Mild Basis of the 50 most community-minded corporations in America. Blue Cross has been acknowledged for the previous 4 years, and Entergy has been acknowledged for the previous seven years.
“In response to the latest analysis from the ALICE challenge, greater than 50 % of Louisiana households are unable to afford a primary family survival price range. Because of this households who’re struggling to pay hire, utilities and different payments discover themselves unable to afford wholesome, nutritious meals,” mentioned Patty Riddlebarger, vp of Company Social Accountability for Entergy. “Entergy is dedicated to addressing meals insecurity in our communities, and we’re proud to honor Dr. King by becoming a member of with our neighborhood companions and Blue Cross for service days statewide.”
“We’re so proud to have performed a job on this endeavor,” mentioned Phillip Might, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO. “Any time we will step up for many who want it most, that’s one thing Entergy needs to be part of. We don’t simply work within the state of Louisiana, however we stay right here, too. Serving to construct stronger communities is what we do, and there’s nothing extra necessary than being there once we’re wanted most.”
“Supporting our communities is a part of who we’re at Entergy,” mentioned Deanna Rodriguez, Entergy New Orleans president and CEO. “No household ought to ever should go hungry. That’s the reason it’s very important that we not solely contribute funding to help important neighborhood companies, however we additionally volunteer to organize and ship meals for households in want.”
Entergy embraces the United Nations Sustainable Improvement Objectives, and the corporate has adopted UNSDG objective quantity 2, “No Starvation,” as one in all its main initiatives, committing to offer 2.6 million meals and dedicate 30,000 hours of volunteer service to starvation aid efforts by 2025.
Meal-packing Occasions Taking Place Jan. 16-21
By means of FeedingLouisiana and The Pack Shack’s “Feed the Funnel” program, Blue Cross, Wholesome Blue and Entergy volunteers will put together and distribute the 200,000 meals amongst space meals banks and different organizations addressing starvation in Louisiana. Meals-packing events will happen in every area of the state Jan. 16-21 in an prolonged celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Nationwide Day of Service on Jan. 16.
“We’re so excited to see these organizations come collectively and proceed the custom of sponsoring meals for households in want,” mentioned Pat Van Burkleo, Feeding Louisiana government director. “With rising meals and residing prices, help like that is wanted now greater than ever. We’re proud to work alongside these wonderful volunteers and hope that this unbelievable gesture will encourage extra folks to become involved. It’s initiatives like this that assist us create a greater future the place everybody in Louisiana can put a wholesome meal on the desk.”
Monday, Jan. 16 – Baton Rouge
Higher Baton Rouge Meals Financial institution,
10600 S. Choctaw Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70815
10 a.m. – midday
Tuesday, Jan. 17 – New Orleans
Second Harvest Meals Financial institution,
700 Edwards Ave., New Orleans, LA 70123
This occasion consists of volunteers from New Orleans Pelicans
10 a.m. – midday
Wednesday, Jan. 18 – Monroe
Vantage Tower Banquet Room,
130 DeSiard St., Monroe, LA 71201
Benefitting Northeast Louisiana Meals Financial institution
10 a.m. – midday
Wednesday, Jan. 18 – Thibodaux
Good Samaritan Meals Financial institution of Thibodaux,
100 Birch St., Thibodaux, LA 70301
10 a.m. – midday
Thursday, Jan. 19 – Lafayette
Second Harvest Meals Financial institution,
215 E Pinhook Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
10 a.m. – midday
Thursday, Jan. 19 – Lake Charles
Second Harvest Meals Financial institution,
2309 Freeway 397, Lake Charles, LA 70615
2-4 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 21 – Shreveport
Meals Financial institution of Northwest Louisiana,
285 Mount Zion Street, Shreveport, LA 71106
9/11 a.m.
