The numbers speak to the need:
- More than 47 million people are facing hunger according to the nonprofit Feeding America.
- That figure includes 14 million children
- Increasingly, there’s an opportunity for people and businesses to come together and fill the gaps – meeting the need by getting essential nourishment to people and families.
“We’re blessed to be in a position to serve,” said Amy Province, Baton Rouge Market Executive for Regions Bank. “So, we’re sharing the resources we have. And we’ve spent Hunger Action Month encouraging people across Louisiana to join us and help where they can. It’s as simple as that. Neighbors looking after neighbors.”
And it’s happening in cities throughout the state.
Regions joined forces with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to offer donation drop-off boxes in local branches. WAFB-TV highlighted the donation drive through a series of live reports and advertisements encouraging donations. And Regions Bank associates also volunteered at the food bank’s facility.
“We believe in giving back to the places where we live and work,” Province added. “Seeing our associates come together to volunteer, collect food, and help families is powerful. We’re honored to lend a helping hand.”
These additional numbers speak to the results:
- In 2024, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank provided 12.8 million meals.
- Those went to people across 11 Louisiana parishes.
- Today, the Food Bank serves about 50,000 people per month, a sign of the challenges many households face.
“The rising cost of household essentials continues to put pressure on families already struggling to make ends meet,” said Mike Manning, the President and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. “Locally, we’ve seen the demand for food assistance grow with longer lines at our partner agencies. Families that no longer relied on us are having to return due to the current economic climate.”
Manning said when a business and its people get involved, they can significantly boost the food bank’s impacts. “Support from community partners like Regions Bank is vital to our mission,” he continued. “Hosting a food drive helps keep our shelves stocked and raises awareness about hunger. Spreading the word expands that impact even further by giving us a platform to reach more people, share our mission, and encourage the community to get involved.”
No matter where you are, there’s a nonprofit that could use the help.
For example, Hunger Action Month also saw Regions associates in Shreveport stepping up.“We are committed to serving our neighbors with purpose,” said Denny Moton, Shreveport Market Executive for Regions. “Hunger is a challenge no family should face alone. By supporting the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana, we can help ease that burden and create brighter futures for the people we serve.”
Sometimes spending time volunteering can be even more valuable than spending money on donations.
“Last year, our volunteer hours were equivalent to 28 full-time employees,” said Manning. “This reduces our operational costs and allows us to direct more resources toward feeding families.”
But food insecurity is a yearlong concern. That is why the help continues. In October and November, associates in Alexandria and Monroe are also volunteering and accepting donations for their local food banks.
“Community giving is part of our culture at Regions,” said Kevin Smith, Monroe Market Executive for Regions. “Every can collected and every volunteer hour donated brings us closer to a community where fewer families worry about their next meal.”
In Alexandria, the work is expanding into December and Hope House of Central Louisiana. For more than 35 years, the organization has helped homeless families achieve the dream of a better life.
“We are always looking for ways to make a tangible difference,” added Eric Lord, Alexandria Market Executive for Regions. “It’s inspiring to see what we can accomplish when we all pitch in to support the organizations that provide a vital help for families. The work across Louisiana makes it clear: we are here for each other.”
