By james art BATON ROUGE – Volunteer groups and local food banks are partnering to provide a million meals statewide through January in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
MLK Day is celebrated in the first month of the year, and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank wants to reach the goal of one million by that day.
“This is really an opportunity for all of us collectively to make a difference,” said Judd Jeanson of Volunteer Louisiana. “The holiday season is a time of giving. We’ll get through the holiday season, but it doesn’t have to end there. We can start the new year in the same spirit.”
The campaign is an attempt to combat food insecurity in Louisiana by rebuilding the state’s food banks after the busy holiday season.
“This effort is great, to see other people stepping up. They raise their hands and say “I see the need, I’m willing to donate the boxes I have in my pantry, or donate ten dollars, or show up at the food bank and volunteer. That’s how we’re going to ultimately meet that need by consistent way if we all give back where we can,” said Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana President Michael Tipton.
For more information about the initiative and how to help, visit its website here.