This is an important milestone in the food bank’s 40-year history and it would not have been possible without this partnership with McNeese.” “Through this amazing partnership, we’ll be able to serve the community in a way we never could before. “This kitchen fills a need and will jump-start our efforts to better serve the Southwest Louisiana community,” said Second Harvest’s President/CEO Natalie Jayroe. The operation of the community kitchen will allow Second Harvest to triple its meal production to meet the growing demand. Today, the food bank is seeing more people seeking food relief in large part due to inflation and a 15% increase in food prices. The need for food assistance has always been great in Lake Charles and surrounding communities but the devastation and hardship over the last two years have been unprecedented. “This collaboration gives our McNeese family an opportunity to work with a national organization with a local mission to improve food equity.” Chip LeMieux, provost and vice president for academic affairs and enrollment management at McNeese. “We embrace the partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank and its humanitarian efforts to strengthen food assistance programs by providing healthy and nutritious meals and addressing the issue of inconsistent access to sufficient nutrition to lead a healthy life,” said Dr. The two organizations partnered to transform the 1,865 square-foot Gayle Hall Annex Building into a community kitchen that will operate a teaching and learning lab where Second Harvest can prepare hot, nutritious meals for families, children and seniors and McNeese’s undergraduate and graduate students can receive hands-on experience in food service operations and the nutritional care process. In March 2022, McNeese and Second Harvest committed to working together to make a difference to fight hunger across Southwest Louisiana. The community kitchen aims to make a meaningful difference in the fight against hunger by preparing thousands of meals weekly for food insecure families. “Throughout ‘National Tackle Hunger Month’ this October, we are excited and grateful to continue our partnership and spread awareness, encourage volunteering and donation of funds in support of the work that our member food banks do to ensure every Pennsylvanian has access to nutritious food.McNeese State University and Second Harvest Food Bank celebrated the grand opening of the first community kitchen in Southwest Louisiana located on the McNeese campus on Friday. “PSECU and their members have been an incredible support to Feeding Pennsylvania and have exemplified how just one individual or organization can make a huge impact,” said Jane Clements, CEO of Feeding Pennsylvania. Donations can be made directly through Feeding Pennsylvania’s website, /psecu. In the past, PSECU members have donated more than $40,000 to combat food insecurity. In addition to the volunteer initiative on October 26, PSECU will be making a $40,000 donation to Feeding Pennsylvania, one of its pillar charity partners, and urging members who are able, to also make a donation. We want to inspire others to do the same.” “This philosophy inspires us to support the community and provide resources to help the greatest number of individuals, families, and businesses.” She continues, “Addressing food insecurity is a way that we can have a direct impact on improving the everyday lives of our neighbors. “PSECU believes in the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people’,” said Karen Rousche, PSECU’s Community Relations Coordinator. Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest PA.Berks & Schuylkill Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank. Volunteers who share photos of their experience on social media can help raise additional funds for the food bank, as the credit union will donate $5 for each like the photos receive (up to $5,000 total). Members can register in advance to volunteer on Octoat one of the eight food banks listed below. Partnering with eight Feeding Pennsylvania member food banks across the state, PSECU is inviting its members to join them in a day of volunteerism. Tackling Hunger month is observed nationally each October and seeks to raise awareness about food insecurity. Contributing more than $500,000 to combat food insecurity over the last five years, PSECU is tackling hunger again in 2022. PSECU, Pennsylvania’s largest credit union, has a longstanding history of supporting those facing food insecurity in the commonwealth and has forged strong relationships with Feeding Pennsylvania and select member food banks across the state. While food banks can help to meet these needs, PA’s charitable food network has seen an unprecedented rise in demand since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying economic downturn. Nearly two million Pennsylvanians are struggling with hunger.
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