CURRENT FOOD SITUATION
On October 29, Governor Landry announced that starting November 1, 2025, SNAP benefits will be funded for households with children, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities. While this provides important support for these groups, there is still a pressing need among neighbors who are underemployed, recently lost a job, or are federal employees—including military personnel—who are not currently receiving paychecks. Our Food Bank will continue to focus on providing food assistance to these individuals and families during this challenging situation.
WHY THIS MATTERS:
Currently, 793,000 Louisianans receive SNAP benefits. On November 1, benefits will not be provided to 228,000 Louisianans.
SNAP is the largest anti-hunger program in Louisiana with $152 million in monthly benefits going to the state’s most vulnerable populations.
Food banks nation-wide are operating with fewer resources. Over the past nine months, the federal government has cut $13 million in food purchasing programs and canceled $1 million from the USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program to the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana alone.
With government furlough’s and an upward trend in layoffs, many families in our area may be facing food insecurity for the first time.
WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY FOOD NETWORK:
In Northwest Louisiana, our network of non-profit and charitable food pantries are preparing for an unprecedented surge in need.
The Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana fills the gap in food assistance where federal food assistance programs fall short. Food banks across the country provide about 10% of the food assistance that people receive. That’s one out of every ten meals provided by a charity food network.
Even though the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana was able to distribute food to 65,000 individuals last year, much of the support for our community comes from federal and state programs that help meet the ongoing needs of neighbors in need.
Our network has already seen an increase in client visits. Food Bank partner agencies, many already operating at full capacity, report serving more people.
WHO IS AFFECTED:
SNAP serves children, seniors, veterans, women, men, the homeless, people with disabilities, the unemployed, and underemployed residents of Northwest Louisiana living below the poverty level as defined by the USA.
72% percent of Shreveport households have monthly incomes under $1,000 and 40% that regularly choose between paying for food, medicine, or utilities. The average household income in the area is $9,480 a year, with nearly 23% of Shreveport SNAP beneficiaries being elderly and living on limited fixed income.
Working households make up 77% of SNAP beneficiaries for the state.
SNAP also effects local businesses. In 2023, over 4,000 local retailers redeemed $2,431,377,284 statewide.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Despite these extraordinary challenges, the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana remains steadfast in our mission to ensure access to nutritious food for every neighbor in need. Though we cannot fill the void that the federal government has created- we will do our absolute best to help all that we can.
We will inform our resilient network of pantries and food distributors on plans for future procedures including emergency food distributions or mass distributions similar to those performed during COVID-19.
Community support is more critical now than ever.
On October 29, Governor Landry announced that starting November 1, 2025, SNAP benefits will be funded for households with children, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities. While this provides important support for these groups, there is still a pressing need among neighbors who are underemployed, recently lost a job, or are federal employees—including military personnel—who are not currently receiving paychecks. Our Food Bank will continue to focus on providing food assistance to these individuals and families during this challenging situation.
WHY THIS MATTERS:
Currently, 793,000 Louisianans receive SNAP benefits. On November 1, benefits will not be provided to 228,000 Louisianans.
SNAP is the largest anti-hunger program in Louisiana with $152 million in monthly benefits going to the state’s most vulnerable populations.
Food banks nation-wide are operating with fewer resources. Over the past nine months, the federal government has cut $13 million in food purchasing programs and canceled $1 million from the USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program to the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana alone.
With government furlough’s and an upward trend in layoffs, many families in our area may be facing food insecurity for the first time.
WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY FOOD NETWORK:
In Northwest Louisiana, our network of non-profit and charitable food pantries are preparing for an unprecedented surge in need.
The Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana fills the gap in food assistance where federal food assistance programs fall short. Food banks across the country provide about 10% of the food assistance that people receive. That’s one out of every ten meals provided by a charity food network.
Even though the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana was able to distribute food to 65,000 individuals last year, much of the support for our community comes from federal and state programs that help meet the ongoing needs of neighbors in need.
Our network has already seen an increase in client visits. Food Bank partner agencies, many already operating at full capacity, report serving more people.
WHO IS AFFECTED:
SNAP serves children, seniors, veterans, women, men, the homeless, people with disabilities, the unemployed, and underemployed residents of Northwest Louisiana living below the poverty level as defined by the USA.
72% percent of Shreveport households have monthly incomes under $1,000 and 40% that regularly choose between paying for food, medicine, or utilities. The average household income in the area is $9,480 a year, with nearly 23% of Shreveport SNAP beneficiaries being elderly and living on limited fixed income.
Working households make up 77% of SNAP beneficiaries for the state.
SNAP also effects local businesses. In 2023, over 4,000 local retailers redeemed $2,431,377,284 statewide.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Despite these extraordinary challenges, the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana remains steadfast in our mission to ensure access to nutritious food for every neighbor in need. Though we cannot fill the void that the federal government has created- we will do our absolute best to help all that we can.
We will inform our resilient network of pantries and food distributors on plans for future procedures including emergency food distributions or mass distributions similar to those performed during COVID-19.
Community support is more critical now than ever.
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