Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana
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Maria, Food Bank Client, Shares Her Story

9/19/2017

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I am a Navy veteran. I was honorably discharged after serving my country for four years on several detachments and deployments. I loved my time in the Navy. Sure, it was hard work but I got to see the world and I was always taken care of. It wasn't until after I got out that my struggles really began.

I'm a single mom to two beautiful girls – Hailey is four and Hannah is six. My husband and I split up a few years ago and unfortunately I don't receive any support. I want to work hard and earn a living, but right now my daughters' school schedule doesn't allow it. Hailey is too young to attend school all day, and I can't afford the daycare I'd need to work full time. I do everything I can to make the most of the few hours she is in school – I clean homes, landscape lawns; anything to make a little money to keep the shelves stocked. But as you can imagine, it's not enough. There have been times when I didn't eat so my daughters could.

As a veteran, it's really tough to ask for help. The Navy taught me to be independent. I was ashamed to admit that I couldn't make it on my own. My daughters were the only reason I ended up asking for assistance. Their needs motivated me to put my pride aside and visit a nearby food pantry – served by the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana.  By giving us food, the pantry restored a sense of normalcy to our lives and gave us the strength and inspiration we needed to keep reaching for a better day.

I now know that a better day will be here soon. When Hailey is old enough to attend full-time kindergarten, I can work enough hours to make ends meet. I'm not sure I'd be as hopeful about the future without the Food Bank’s support. To me, the people there are angels, and I can't thank them enough for everything they've done.

To read more of the fall 2017 newsletter, click here. 
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Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana
Physical Address: 285 Mt. Zion Rd. - Shreveport, LA 71106
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 65150, Shreveport, LA 71136
Phone: (318) 675-2400 - Fax: (318) 675-2440

Email: info@foodbanknla.org
EIN:72-1328890
Hours: Monday - Friday from 8am - 3:30pm 
​© 2016-2021 Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana. All Rights Reserved.
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.

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Website by: Hemingway West
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Overview
    • What is a Food Bank?
    • Staff & Board
    • Community Partners
  • What's New
    • News & Events
    • Career Opportunities
  • Programs
    • Food Bank Programs
    • Wish List
    • Agencies
  • Volunteers
    • How You Can Help
    • How to Organize a Food Drive
  • Donate
  • Communication
    • Newsletters
  • Contact Us