NEW ORLEANS – From Ochsner Well being and Second Harvest Meals Financial institution:
As Thanksgiving approaches, Ochsner Well being and Second Harvest Meals Financial institution of Higher New Orleans and Acadiana are serving to residents of southeast Louisiana entry nutritious meals and a little bit pleasure this vacation season. The 2 organizations joined forces over a number of days final week at hand out Thanksgiving-style scorching meals, shelf-stable and contemporary groceries, and small vacation presents to households in a number of areas severely impacted by Hurricane Ida.
The week previous to Thanksgiving, volunteers visited Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. John, St. Charles, Plaquemines and Jefferson parishes. Over three days, 2,400 scorching meals of turkey, aspect dishes, greens and fruit cobblers have been distributed at local people websites in these parishes which can be nonetheless actively recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Ida and COVID-19. Volunteers additionally handed out about 50,000 kilos of groceries, together with ready-to-eat meals, canned items, contemporary vegatables and fruits, yogurt, and pies. Households with younger youngsters acquired small, holiday-themed teddy bears.
“We care deeply in regards to the communities we serve, and we all know that our neighbors all through southeast Louisiana are nonetheless affected by the catastrophic harm inflicted by Hurricane Ida,” mentioned Warner Thomas, President and CEO of Ochsner Well being. “We’re dedicated to rolling up our sleeves via group service and eliminating obstacles that influence the wellbeing and stability of all residents, which is why we have been honored to accomplice with Second Harvest Meals Financial institution for this necessary sequence of occasions.”
Ochsner and Second Harvest Meals Financial institution know starvation and meals safety proceed to be main points in south Louisiana, and that these issues have solely been exacerbated by current occasions. Each organizations stay targeted on utilizing each useful resource out there to provide again, improve entry to groceries and different family provides and assist make Louisiana more healthy.
Second Harvest President & CEO Natalie Jayroe spoke in regards to the long-term influence this partnership has had upon the meals financial institution’s mission. “Ochsner’s superb assist has helped us feed so many hungry folks throughout South Louisiana for a few years. We’re so grateful for his or her continued engagement with our group’s wants on so many ranges.”
Throughout six distribution shifts, 107 Ochsner workers staffed the occasions, spending greater than 280 hours of service handing out meals donated by the hospital system. The Thanksgiving meal and grocery giveaway is one in all some ways Ochsner has engaged in volunteer work and catastrophe response for the reason that starting of the COVID-19 pandemic and following Hurricane Ida. Ochsner has additionally made the COVID-19 vaccine handy and accessible to all of the communities it serves and has supplied onsite pressing care wants through the system’s cell unit, which was deployed in hard-hit areas just like the Bayou area and New Orleans East. These efforts are a part of Ochsner’s dedication to extend entry to well being and make Louisiana a extra equitable place for all residents.
