Food for Thought

“Because it’s fun and I like helping other people.” That is how one young volunteer describes Tuesday mornings at Second Harvest’s Bayou Distribution Center in Houma, where she serves with her family. In the summer, when school is out and families feel the strain, her words carry extra meaning. This is kids helping kids. LaShondra... Read More

Mr. Jeff is raising his grandchildren, stepping into a role he never expected but embraces with unwavering love. Like many caregivers on a fixed income, he relies on careful planning and limited resources to make ends meet. During the summer months, when utility and grocery bills rise and assistance can lag, that balance becomes even... Read More

For families already facing tight budgets, the absence of school breakfast and lunch can create an immediate and urgent gap. The result is a seasonal spike in food insecurity, especially in underserved communities. Through our Community Kitchens, Second Harvest’s summer feeding program bridges this gap to ensure that the summer remains a season of reliable... Read More

At South Cameron High School, Tarpon Market – a school-based pantry named after the school’s mascot – has become a lifeline. Led in part by the school’s vice principal, Heidi Baccigalopi, and mainly supported by Second Harvest Food Bank, the pantry ensures that students and their families can access the essentials many of us take... Read More

When school doors close for summer, many children lose reliable meals. For families already stretching food budgets, the end of the school year can mean the end of daily breakfasts and lunches that children depend on. Summer quickly becomes one of the hardest times to keep kids nourished. Last summer, you helped close that gap... Read More

For many families, the school building is already a place of trust and familiarity. That’s what makes school pantries such an effective way to support children and caregivers. They meet families where they already are, without adding another stop or another barrier. At a school pantry site supported by Second Harvest Food Bank, shelves of... Read More

Alexis, a hardworking mother to four children, knows that summer changes everything. “When June arrives and school lets out, suddenly you’re figuring out breakfast, lunch, and snacks for everyone,” Alexis explains. “It’s not just about the food — it’s about keeping them engaged and fed well while you’re managing everything else.” That’s where Second Harvest... Read More