Food Bank facing potential shortages

Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank President and CEO Mike Manning depicts a scenario of unabated need for his organization. “We’re struggling to meet the need” of the 125 agencies in the 11-parish Capital Area region the food bank serves, he says. “What we’re seeing is the impact of the national economic downturn, and it’s really affecting our inventory in a negative way,” he says. The food bank distributes about 1 million pounds of food each month. Manning says its food warehouse is being emptied out just as fast as it’s filled. “It’s sort of like following Hurricane Katrina, when we’d get in a load one day and the next day it’s gone,” he says. “It’s a constant in and out.” Though local giving continues to be steady, Manning says the availability of tractor trailer loads of food from national donors has fallen off significantly. At the same time, he says, census data shows the poverty level among children in Louisiana rising to 27% in recent years. “We really need the community to step up and help us get through this until the economy recovers,” Manning says. Those interested in making a donation to the food bank can visit its website here. —Steve Sanoski