Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long has the Food Bank been serving those in need in our community?
A. The Food Bank of Central Louisiana was founded in 1989.
Q. How does someone qualify for food assistance?
A. To be eligible for food items, one must fall within the poverty levels set by the federal government.
Q. I’d like to help, how do I volunteer?
A. There are many ways to get involved. Volunteers can sort and package canned items, pack backpacks of food for the BackPack program, deliver a food box to the home-bound, or lend your professional skills. Call the Food Bank to find out about specific opportunities.
Q. How do I donate funds to the Food Bank?
A. You can donate online by clicking the donate now link or call the Food Bank at 318-445-2773. You can also mail a check to the Food Bank at 3223 Baldwin Avenue, Alexandria, LA 71301.
Q. What kind of food can I donate?
A. Most anything that you find in your pantry would be able to be donated to the Food Bank of Central Louisiana. The Food Bank accepts non-perishable food items like canned vegetables and fruit, canned soup and meats, dried beans, pasta, rice, peanut butter, etc. If you or your organization is interested in hosting a food drive, please contact the Food Bank at 318-445-2773.
Q. What is the Kids Cafe Program?
A. Kids Cafe is a program designed to have a hand in fashioning America’s future by providing nutritious meals and tutoring to needy children in a safe, accessible environment. It is also designed to provide nutrition education, character enrichment, and recreational activities. The ultimate goal is to take a-risk children from childhood to adulthood utilizing their full potential.
Q. What is the Senior Program?
A. The Senior program is designed to assist seniors stretch their budgets. Seniors on the program receive a 50 pound box of food each month.
Q. What is the BackPack Program?
A. The BackPack program was created to meet the needs of hungry children when other resources aren’t available, such as weekends and school vacations. The backpacks are filled with child-friendly, nonperishable food that children take home from school on Fridays.
Q. What is Feeding America?
A. Feeding America is a network of food banks across the United States. The Food Bank of Central Louisiana is a member of Feeding America and follows its rules and regulations.
Q. What is the Food Bank’s service area?
A. The Food Bank of Central Louisiana serves 11 parishes in Central Louisiana: Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, and Winn.
Q. What is a member agency?
A. Member agencies are the links between the Food Bank and the hungry people we feed. A food bank serves as a collection and warehousing center. We procure, purchase, sort and distribute food to our agencies (churches, meal sites, soup kitchens, shelters, group homes, etc.). We distribute food to our member agencies who interact with each person in need to ensure they receive the necessary support.
Q. How to become a member agency?
A. To become a member agency an organization must be a non-profit agency. Agencies interested in becoming a member agency must fill out a member agency application and be approved by the Food Bank of Central Louisiana’s board of directors. Please contact Jodi Belgard at the Food Bank at 318-445-2773 for more information.