LSUS's INAR participating in Million Meals for MLK to combat hunger

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LSUS's INAR participating in Million Meals for MLK to combat hunger

SHREVEPORT - With 19 percent of Louisiana households living below the federal poverty rate (2022 American Community Survey), Louisianians are particularly affected by rising food costs.

Organizations from across the state are putting a dent in Louisiana's food insecurity this month with the initiative Million Meals for MLK.

LSUS's Institute of Nonprofit Administration and Research is participating by helping to promote the campaign and connecting volunteers to food-packing parties throughout January.

"We're coordinating with different food banks and sites around the state, like with the Caddo Council on Aging right here in Shreveport," said Dr. Heather Carpenter, INAR's executive director. "Hunger and poverty are issues in our state, and we have the second-highest poverty level in the nation.

"With food prices increasing, more families are relying on services like food banks to access nutritious meals."

Volunteer Louisiana and Feeding Louisiana are the two primary statewide entities organizing the initiative with financial sponsorship from Louisiana Blue and Entergy.

Carpenter was recently selected to the Volunteer Louisiana Commission.

"We're encouraging organizations to create their own food packing parties to help us reach that 1 million meals number this month," Carpenter said.

The Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana is a leader locally in gathering and distributing meals as part of Million Meals for MLK.

Not only is January an active service month, particularly in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but January is a critical month for food banks to restock after their busy holiday season.

Citizens can be involved in the campaign by volunteering at a local food bank or related organization, contributing to an existing food drive or creating one's own, or donating money to a local food bank.

Food banks can turn $1 into four donated meals because of their direct link to major manufactures instead of paying retail food prices.

Learn more about this statewide initiative at Million Meals for MLK.