Disaster Response

As a disaster response organization, Second Harvest remains ready to distribute food, water, and critical supplies in times of disasters. Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Second Harvest became the largest food bank in the country as it distributed 75 million pounds of food over the two years following the storms.

After the landfall of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008, Second Harvest distributed food at twice the pre-storm level. During the three weeks following the storms, Second Harvest provided nearly 1.6 million meals to affected individuals and assisted parishes struggling to recover from the aftermath. Truckloads of donated food went to member agencies, first responders, and American Red Cross and Salvation Army feeding sites, all located in areas most impacted by the storms.

More recently, in response to the Gulf Oil Spill, Second Harvest Food Bank has distributed more than 600,000 meals to affected families along the Louisiana Gulf coast.