​As with every potential threat to Northwest Louisiana, from flooding to the everyday disaster of hunger, the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana staff and volunteers are preparing to respond to the impact of COVID-19 in our communities. Beyond the potential health impacts, school children and seniors will lose access to meals.  Additionally, those who work in the service industry and other hourly jobs stand to lose significant income.
Here are some ways you can help the Food Bank and the Communities we serve:

• Monetary donations: The pandemic is causing major impacts to seniors, children, and low-income workers in our service industry. Click HERE to make a secure online monetary donation to help support our emergency response and readiness.  Every $10 donated provides $100 in food.
•  Volunteer: We are not accepting volunteers at this time.  Please check back with us.  
• Food: We welcome donation of fresh produce and non-perishable food items Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at our facility at 2307 Texas Avenue, Shreveport.  CLICK HERE for our list of most needed foods. 
•  Cleaning/sanitation supplies: We are also asking for donations of cleaning supplies, soap, and hand sanitizer. 

For other questions please call us 318.675.2400

Sponsored By:  Sportspectrum, the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana and Shreveport Regional Arts Council
Special Thanks To:  Great Raft Brewing, Woody Nesbitt’s Music Madness, SPAR, Ozarka Water, Clark’s Tailgate Catering, Sportspectrum Race Management, New Balance, RRCA.
Date and Starting Times: Thanksgiving Morning November 28, 2019:
1/2 Mile Fun Run @ 8:00 am 
3 mile Trail Run @ 8:30 am
New location: 
801 Crockett Street
Shreveport, LA US 71101
Turkey Trot will have a new home for 2019! “The Common Park” A 2.5 acre urban park in the Heart of the Blossoming revitalization of a long-neglected 9 block western edge of Shreveport straddling the major thruway to Downtown, Common Street, and thus named Shreveport Common. For 2 months and during the Thanksgiving weekend you and your family will be able to take in “Rainbow City” a never seen in the south installation of 43 soaring inflated colorful, zany “characters” ranging from 12’ to 50’ tall. We are excited to be a part of Shreveport’s first Downtown Urban Park and Greenspace!
New course: This years race will start and finish at the new “Shreveport Common Urban Park” in Historic Downtown Shreveport. Run past the Municipal Auditorium, down Elvis Presley Drive, past the Historic Strand Theatre, wind thru Downtown Shreveport, through Oakland Cemetery and back to the finish and enjoy the sights and sounds of Shreveport new “green space”.
Entry Fee: Pre-registration is $15 by Oct. 1st,    
$20.00 Oct. 2nd—Nov. 1st,      
$25 Nov. 2-Nov. 16,     
$30 Nov. 17-Nov. 27
$35 Race Morning
For More Information:  https://runsignup.com/Race/LA/Shreveport/SportspectrumTurkeyTrot

Local musician Chuck Jones has been blessed in his life, and he wants to pass those blessings on to others.  On Friday, November 22, 2019, Chuck and his band will proudly sponsor a Thanksgiving Benefit Concert at Red River Brewery from 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM. He has chosen the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana and Providence House as this year’s charities. This smoke free event will feature 5 bands, raffles, giveaways and limited munchies. The five bands are The Chuck Jones Band, Pocket Change with Buddy Flett, Sonny Rambin and friends, What the Funk and The Lost Boys.  Although admission is free, people are asked to bring canned or dry goods to the event.

​On Thursday, October 17, the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana will be the recipient of Whole Foods Market for 5% Day, when 5 percent of the day’s sales will be donated to the Food Bank.  Whole Foods Market is located at 1380 E. 70th Street in Shreveport.  If there are pantry staples you need to stock back up on before the holidays, vitamins or supplements you’ve been eyeing or it’s just time for your weekly shopping trip, we urge you to shop on October 17 to help your money work overtime to benefit the Food Bank. Some of the Food Bank team will be on hand to answer any questions and to discuss the Food Bank’s different programs.  

​Zombie Walk Food Drive: ZOMBIES, ZOMBIES, EVERYWHERE! The Shreveport- Bossier City Zombie Walk is a community event with the goal to both promote and benefit local charities and non-profits. Dress up like a zombie and bring non-perishable food for the Food Drive on Saturday, October 19th from 4pm to 9pm at East Bank District & Plaza, for a spine tingling event featuring loads of unique vendors, guest speakers, food drive, costume contest, live music, and door prizes! Zombies of the four-legged variety are also welcome to attend.
For more information go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/2350851395005139/

The Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana (NWLA) is accepting bids to provide At Risk Supper Meals for children through the Child and Adult Care Food Program.  The Food Bank of NWLA serves approximately 500 children Monday-Friday at various after school programs in Shreveport, Bossier City and surrounding areas.

Interested vendors may obtain a copy of the Invitation to Bid and Specifications by clicking here or by contacting Marleah Walker at 318.675.2400 ext. 108.  Sealed bids must be submitted by 10:00 a.m. on September 26, 2019, to the Food Bank of NWLA, 2307 Texas Avenue, Shreveport, LA  71103. Bids will be accepted via mail or hand delivered. A public bid opening will be held at 10:00 a.m. on September 26, 2019 at the same location.  Contractors submitting bids must meet approval by the State of Louisiana, Department of Education to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). 
 In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.  To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint filing cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1)mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.  This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Find the Bid Documents here: Food Bank After School Meal - CACFP Program Bid Information
​

                                                               30 Ways in 30 Days to Fight Hunger
 1    Print this calendar and place it on your refrigerator
 2    Labor Day   Like the Food Bank on Facebook and Twitter
 3    Host a virtual food drive asking friends and family to donate
 4    Sponsor a child to receive a school year of weekend food – in the Back Pack Program 
5     Schedule a tour to learn more about the Food Bank 
6     Display an orange ribbon or light outside your home
7     Organize a brown bag lunch at work and donate savings to the Food Bank 
8     Honor a grandparent for Grandparents Day. Give $10 online = $100 worth of food
9     Bookmark the FBNWLA website foodbanknla.org
10  Collect jars of peanut butter to donate to the Food Bank
11  Follow  the Food Bank on Twitter
12  Hunger Action Day: Wear orange in observance of Hunger Action Day and KTAL: 6 Hours of Caring
13  Subscribe to the Food Bank e-newsletter at foodbanknla.org/newsletter.html
14  Host a Football Tailgate party and collect funds for the Food Bank $1=$10 food
15  Clean Out Your Freezer Day at First United Methodist Church with Hunters for the Hungry
16  Call the Food Bank to schedule a tour of the facility
17  Set up a virtual food drive with your church congregation
18  Make coffee this week at home and donate the savings to the Food Bank
19  Take the SNAP challenge. Live a day on $5
20  Organize a Food Drive at your business, school or church
21  Write your elected officials supporting funding for food bank programs
22  Share your thoughts on hunger on a paper plate and post to social media
23  Set up a recurring donation to the FBNWLA online
24 Attend the Food Bank Ground Breaking event at 9:30 am, 265 Mt. Zion Road, Shreveport
25  Volunteer at the Food Bank to sort and pack food
26  Post a hunger fact or promote the Food Bank on social media
27  Make plans to continue to    support hunger relief activities in your community
28  Skip a meal and experience hunger firsthand
29  Help FIGHT Hunger!     Donate at foodbanknla.org
30  Volunteer to pack Senior Food Boxes at the Food Bank
 Join the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana in the fight against hunger this September!  Pick one or more activities on this calendar in observance of Hunger Action Month ™ and let us know about it!  Every little bit to raise awareness and funding makes a BIG impact.   #HungerActionMonth

Many children are faced with the knowledge that when school ends, so do the free and reduced price breakfasts and lunches they receive during the school year. The Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana’s Summer Feeding program provides free, nutritious food to children at selected sites throughout Northwest Louisiana. The program is operated with support from the Department of Agriculture’s SFSP program and Share Our Strength.

Meals will be provided at the sites and times as follows:
 
Paradise Baptist Church
1706 Hollywood Avenue
Shreveport, LA 71108
6/3/19-7/31/19
Monday-Friday
Closed on 7/4/19
Breakfast 7:30 AM-8:30 AM
Lunch 12:00 PM-1:00 PM

Evangel Learning Center
(Winner’s Circle Summer Camp)
5720 Buncombe Road
Shreveport, LA 71129
6/3/19-6/7/19
Monday-Friday
Breakfast 8:00 AM-8:30 AM
Lunch 12:30 PM-1:00 PM

David Raines Library
2855 Martin Luther King Drive
Shreveport, LA 71107
6/3/19-7/31/19
Monday-Friday
Closed on 7/4/19
Lunch 12:00 PM-1:00 PM

David Raines North WIC
1625 David Raines Drive
Shreveport, LA 71107
5/20/19-8/9/19
Monday-Friday
Closed 7/4/19
Lunch 12:00 PM-1:00 PM

Wallette Library
363 Hearne Avenue
Shreveport, LA 71103
6/3/19-7/31/19
Monday-Friday
Closed 7/4/19
Lunch 12:00 PM-1:00 PM

The Plant a Seed
1518 Cox Street
Bossier City, LA 71111
6/3/19-6/28/19
Monday-Friday
Breakfast 8:00 AM-9:00 AM
Lunch 12:00 PM-1:00 PM

Hollywood Union Ave Branch Library
2105 Hollywood Avenue
Shreveport, LA 71108
6/3/19-7/31/19
Monday-Friday
Closed 7/4/19
Lunch 11:00 AM-12:00 PM

North Caddo Branch Library
615 N. Pine St.
Vivian, LA 71082
6/3/19-7/31/19
Monday- Friday
Closed 7/4/19
Lunch 11:00 AM-12:00 PM

Gilliam Branch Library
12797 Main Street
Gilliam, LA 71029
6/3/19-7/31/19
Monday-Friday
Closed on 7/4/19
Lunch 12:00 PM-12:45 PM

Rodessa Branch
10093 Main Street
Rodessa, LA 71069
6/3/19-7/31/19
Monday-Friday
Closed 7/4/19
Lunch 11:00 AM-12:00 PM

Carrie Martin Plant a Seed
 600 S. Perrin Street
Plain Dealing, LA 71064
6/3/19-7/31/19
Monday-Friday
 
Breakfast 8:00 AM-8:30 AM
Lunch 12:30 PM-1:00 PM

Rita Sanders Keoun Memorial Library
208 East Mary Lee Avenue
Plain Dealing, LA 71064
6/3/19-7/31/19
Monday-Friday
Closed 7/4/19
Lunch 12:00 PM-2:30 PM

Higginbotham-Bryson Library
9359 Greenwood Road
Greenwood, LA 71033
6/3/19-7/31/19
Monday-Friday
Closed 7/4/19
Lunch Monday and Friday 11:30 AM-12:30 PM.
​Lunch Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 3:30 PM-4:30 PM.

USDA:
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, D.C. 20250-9410.  (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. 

We are so thankful for the Grayson Foundation's grant funding that provided a new forklift!