Words by Smiley Team
New Orleans! The name gets everyone excited. A world-class city that attracts more than 17 million tourists each year makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
With all its glitz and glamour, New Orleans has a huge problem with poverty. According to the US Census, 89.3k out of 378k people live below the poverty line in New Orleans – a number higher than the national average of 12.3%.
The largest demographic living in poverty are females – most commonly those aged 25-34 – and the task of meeting the needs of the underprivileged in this community is a daunting one.
However, projects and initiatives put on by the Giving Hope Foundation hope to change this. Among many programmes it supports, one is the Food Pantry of New Orleans, which serves almost 200,000 hot meals to low-income seniors and over 1.7 million pounds of groceries to low-income families each year.
Co-founder Troy Duhon says: "A city like New Orleans, famed for food, shouldn't have hungry people."
Troy and his wife Tracy were inspired to form the organization and sponsor the Food Pantry of New Orleans because of that simple message.
[Read more here about pantries and giving back]
Every day, the Food Pantry provides meals to those in need in the city even though it is not a government institution.
"Everyone is welcome here," says Betty Thomas, the Pantry Director. "Just let me know if you're starving!"
It's important to note these people don't just donate hot meals and food in boxes – they give a lot more.
Betty adds: "It's a place where people realize that love can change things because we give out so much of it. We give hugs and pray with those we meet. All of that matters when people come to this place and are going through difficult times."
To involve the general public in this monumental undertaking, Giving Hope organizes a variety of fundraising activities each year.
“There will be over 2.4 million pounds of food served at this location throughout the year, and about 200k hot meals will be served,” says Troy.
The Giving Hope Retreat Center on the north shore, Hope Against Trafficking, and Hope House Orphanage are all supported by Giving Hope.
To donate and learn more about this amazing cause, go to givinghopenola.org.
