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Food insecurity hits Northshore families hard

Elijah 0
Food insecurity hits Northshore families hard
                                                TO BE A TIME OF JOY. BUT FOR MANY FAMILIES, FOOD INSECURITY IS MAKING THIS SEASON A BIT HARDER TO ENJOY. NONPROFITS AND FOOD BANKS ON THE NORTH SHORE ARE WORKING OVERTIME TO HELP FAMILIES PUT MEALS ON THE TABLE, WHILE ALSO FINDING LONG TERM SOLUTIONS. NORTH SHORE BUREAU REPORTER SHAWANDA JONES EXPLAINS, AS WE’RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. SHAWANDA. YEAH, THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE. BUT FOR SOME FAMILIES IN SLIDELL, THE FOCUS ISN’T ON FINDING GIFTS. IT’S JUST PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE. THIS SLIDELL MOM SAYS THE HOLIDAYS WILL BE TIGHT. FOOD ON THE TABLE TAKES PRIORITY OVER GIFTS. YOU HAVE TO GET THE FOOD FIRST. I HAVE A SON AT HOME AND THEY MAY JUST HAVE TO UNDERSTAND. PERHAPS THE BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS PRESENTS WILL BE A LITTLE LATE THIS YEAR. I CAN’T DO IT ALL AT ONCE. NONPROFITS LIKE CULTIVATING CULTURE ARE STEPPING IN. TEACHING FAMILIES HOW TO GROW THEIR OWN FOOD, EVEN IN SMALL SPACES. I’M TEACHING PEOPLE HERE THAT YOU COULD GARDEN, EVEN IN LITTLE MASON JARS. YOU COULD GARDEN IN BUCKETS, AND YOU COULD PROVIDE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WITH ACTUAL SUSTENANCE, WITH NUTRITIONAL VALUE FOR IMMEDIATE HELP, CARTER’S CREATED A COMMUNITY FRIDGE STOCKED WITH PREPACKAGED MEALS. HEARTBREAKING THING ABOUT IT IS MOST OF THESE PEOPLE ARE LIKE SINGLE MOMS, YOU KNOW? AND AGAIN, LIKE, EVERYTHING IS SO EXPENSIVE NOW. IT’S UNDERSTANDABLE. IT’S NOT JUST PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD THINK TO COME TO, YOU KNOW, A FOOD BANK. IT’S NOT JUST THE POOR THAT WE’RE SEEING. IT’S DEFINITELY THE MIDDLE CLASS THAT IS ALSO COMING TO US. SUZANNE RUOTOLO IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN MINISTRY IN SLIDELL. THE MINISTRY ALSO SERVES AS A FOOD BANK FOR EMERGENCY NEEDS. THIS FOR SURE HAS BEEN SINCE OUR 32 YEAR HISTORY HAS BEEN THE HIGHEST DEMAND FOR FOOD THAT WE’VE EVER HAD. ROTOLO SAYS THEY’RE FOCUSED ON LONG TERM SOLUTIONS, LIKE CONNECTING FAMILIES WITH NORTH SHORE FOOD BANK, SECOND HARVEST AND SNAP BENEFITS TO ENSURE STABILITY BEYOND THE HOLIDAYS. FOR A LIST OF RESOURCES, SEE OUR WEBSITE AT WDSU.COM REPORTI
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Food insecurity hits Northshore families hard

Nonprofits and food banks are stepping up to address record-high demand for food assistance, helping families in need with immediate relief and long-term solutions. 

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                    The holiday season is meant to bring joy, but for many families on the Northshore, food insecurity is making it harder to celebrate. Local nonprofits and food banks are stepping up to help families put meals on the table while also working toward long-term solutions.For one Slidell mother, the focus this year is on basic needs rather than gifts.“You have to get the food first,” she said. “I have a son at home, and they may just have to understand. Perhaps with birthdays, Christmas presents will be a little late this year. I can’t do it all at once.” Organizations like Cultivating Culture are addressing food insecurity in innovative ways by teaching families to grow their own food, even in small spaces.“I’m teaching people here that you can garden even in little mason jars,” said Ty Carter, founder of Cultivating Culture. “You could garden in buckets, and you could provide you and your family with actual sustenance, with nutritional value.”For those in need of immediate assistance, Carter has also created a community fridge stocked with pre-packaged meals to help families get by. The Good Samaritan Ministry in Slidell is another organization experiencing unprecedented demand. Suzanne Rotolo, the ministry’s director, says the food bank is seeing more middle-class families needing help.“It’s not just the poor that we’re seeing. It’s definitely the middle class that is also coming to us,” Rotolo explained.Rotolo also shared that this year marks the highest demand for food in the organization’s 32-year history. While addressing immediate needs, these nonprofits are also focusing on sustainable solutions. Programs like the Northshore Food Bank, Second Harvest, and SNAP benefits are being used to help families achieve stability that lasts beyond the holidays.Below is an extensive list of resources in Slidell and surrounding areas to provide assistance with food insecurities and more if needed. Church of the Nazarene: 64129 LA Hwy 41; Pearl River, LA 70452 Phone: 985-863-5378 Serving Pearl River Zip Code only. Call for pick-up times/dates. (Second Tuesday and Thursday of every month, from 10-12Community Christian Concern: 2515 Carey St.; Slidell, LA 70458 Phone: 985-646-0357 Open Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Friday-Sat. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Food given once every 4 months. Appointments only. First Baptist Church: 4141 Pontchartrain Drive; Slidell, LA 70458 Phone: 985-290-1359 Must call for appointment: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. Serving Slidell and Lacombe. Does not include Pearl River.Greater Northshore Full Gospel: 840 Voters Road; Slidell, LA 70461 Phone: 985-774-5514 Second Saturday of every month from 9 am to noon. Mobile Pantry- every other month food distributed at various parks.High Praise Fellowship: 60456 N. Military Road; Slidell, LA 70461 Phone: 985-781-4414 1" Wednesday - Last name A-M and 3rd Wednesday - Last name N-Z of each month from 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.The Mission Pantry: 31294 US-190; Lacombe, LA 70445 Weekday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Other Northshore Food Bank - 985-893-3003 Applications filled out at The Good Samaritan Ministry, 910 Cross Gates Blvd., Slidell. Distribution at St. Luke's Catholic Church on 1" and 3rd Wednesdays. The Good Samaritan Ministry: 910 Cross Gates Blvd, Slidell; 985-641-6421 SNAP partner. Food for those without SNAP benefits. Formula for infants under 1 year of age. Once every 3 months St. Margaret Mary Church: 1050 Robert Blvd., Slidell; 985-643-6124 Once every 6 months St. Genevieve Church: 58031 St. Genevieve Lane, Slidell;985-445-4720 Open on Mondays only First United Methodist Church: 433 Erlanger, Slidell; 985-643-6437 Food giveaway every Thursday from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Everyone qualifies! Lighthouse Christian Fellowship: 1449 Fremeaux Ave., Slidell Every Friday 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Food pantry, hot meal, shower and laundryCommodity Food Supplemental Program (Food for Seniors) - 60 years old or older. Once a month food distribution at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Ministry. 2nd Wednesday of each month. Must meet federal income guidelines. Applications available in Good Sams's office. Must bring ID, proof of age, proof of residence (utility bill) proof of income. COAST Senior Nutrition Center: 610 Cousin St. 11 a.m. Monday - Friday. Must call 985-641-1852 to make appointment to sign up at the center and then call before each Friday. Peace Lutheran Church: 1320 W. Gause Blvd. 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Wednesday. Bag of groceries to first 50 cars. Greater North Shore FGBC: 840 Voters Rd Family Life Center Every 2nd Tuesday 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.Mt. Olive Feeding Ministry: 2442 Second St. Wed - Fri 11 a.m. - noon Hot meal SNAP (Food Stamps) Apply online at https://cafe-cp.defs.la.gov/selfservice 1-888-524-3578. For assistance in completing an online SNAP application . Call Good Sams for an SNAP Assistance appointment 985-641-6421 or CCC 985-646-0357.


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                    <strong class="dateline">SLIDELL, La. —</strong>                                                    The holiday season is meant to bring joy, but for many families on the Northshore, food insecurity is making it harder to celebrate. Local nonprofits and food banks are stepping up to help families put meals on the table while also working toward long-term solutions.

For one Slidell mother, the focus this year is on basic needs rather than gifts.

“You have to get the food first,” she said. “I have a son at home, and they may just have to understand. Perhaps with birthdays, Christmas presents will be a little late this year. I can’t do it all at once.”

Organizations like Cultivating Culture are addressing food insecurity in innovative ways by teaching families to grow their own food, even in small spaces.

“I’m teaching people here that you can garden even in little mason jars,” said Ty Carter, founder of Cultivating Culture. “You could garden in buckets, and you could provide you and your family with actual sustenance, with nutritional value.”

For those in need of immediate assistance, Carter has also created a community fridge stocked with pre-packaged meals to help families get by.

The Good Samaritan Ministry in Slidell is another organization experiencing unprecedented demand. Suzanne Rotolo, the ministry’s director, says the food bank is seeing more middle-class families needing help.

“It’s not just the poor that we’re seeing. It’s definitely the middle class that is also coming to us,” Rotolo explained.

Rotolo also shared that this year marks the highest demand for food in the organization’s 32-year history.

While addressing immediate needs, these nonprofits are also focusing on sustainable solutions. Programs like the Northshore Food Bank, Second Harvest, and SNAP benefits are being used to help families achieve stability that lasts beyond the holidays.

Below is an extensive list of resources in Slidell and surrounding areas to provide assistance with food insecurities and more if needed.

  • Church of the Nazarene: 64129 LA Hwy 41; Pearl River, LA 70452 Phone: 985-863-5378 Serving Pearl River Zip Code only. Call for pick-up times/dates. (Second Tuesday and Thursday of every month, from 10-12
  • Community Christian Concern: 2515 Carey St.; Slidell, LA 70458 Phone: 985-646-0357 Open Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Friday-Sat. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Food given once every 4 months. Appointments only.
  • First Baptist Church: 4141 Pontchartrain Drive; Slidell, LA 70458 Phone: 985-290-1359 Must call for appointment: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. Serving Slidell and Lacombe. Does not include Pearl River.
  • Greater Northshore Full Gospel: 840 Voters Road; Slidell, LA 70461 Phone: 985-774-5514 Second Saturday of every month from 9 am to noon. Mobile Pantry- every other month food distributed at various parks.
  • High Praise Fellowship: 60456 N. Military Road; Slidell, LA 70461 Phone: 985-781-4414 1″ Wednesday – Last name A-M and 3rd Wednesday – Last name N-Z of each month from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
  • The Mission Pantry: 31294 US-190; Lacombe, LA 70445 Weekday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Other
  • Northshore Food Bank – 985-893-3003 Applications filled out at The Good Samaritan Ministry, 910 Cross Gates Blvd., Slidell. Distribution at St. Luke’s Catholic Church on 1″ and 3rd Wednesdays.
  • The Good Samaritan Ministry: 910 Cross Gates Blvd, Slidell; 985-641-6421 SNAP partner. Food for those without SNAP benefits. Formula for infants under 1 year of age. Once every 3 months
  • St. Margaret Mary Church: 1050 Robert Blvd., Slidell; 985-643-6124 Once every 6 months
  • St. Genevieve Church: 58031 St. Genevieve Lane, Slidell;985-445-4720 Open on Mondays only
  • First United Methodist Church: 433 Erlanger, Slidell; 985-643-6437 Food giveaway every Thursday from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Everyone qualifies!
  • Lighthouse Christian Fellowship: 1449 Fremeaux Ave., Slidell Every Friday 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Food pantry, hot meal, shower and laundry
  • Commodity Food Supplemental Program (Food for Seniors) – 60 years old or older. Once a month food distribution at St. Luke’s Good Samaritan Ministry. 2nd Wednesday of each month. Must meet federal income guidelines. Applications available in Good Sams’s office. Must bring ID, proof of age, proof of residence (utility bill) proof of income.
  • COAST Senior Nutrition Center: 610 Cousin St. 11 a.m. Monday – Friday. Must call 985-641-1852 to make appointment to sign up at the center and then call before each Friday.
  • Peace Lutheran Church: 1320 W. Gause Blvd. 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Wednesday. Bag of groceries to first 50 cars.
  • Greater North Shore FGBC: 840 Voters Rd Family Life Center Every 2nd Tuesday 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Mt. Olive Feeding Ministry: 2442 Second St. Wed – Fri 11 a.m. – noon Hot meal
  • SNAP (Food Stamps) Apply online at https://cafe-cp.defs.la.gov/selfservice 1-888-524-3578. For assistance in completing an online SNAP application . Call Good Sams for an SNAP Assistance appointment 985-641-6421 or CCC 985-646-0357.
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