The Food Bank of Central Louisiana Celebrates AmeriCorps Week March 10 – 16, 2024

 During AmeriCorps Week and AmeriCorps’ 30th anniversary celebrations, The Food Bank of Central Louisiana honors members and volunteers serving their communities.

The Food Bank of Central Louisiana joins AmeriCorps members, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers and other service organizations across the country to celebrate AmeriCorps Week, March 10-16, a nationwide initiative to highlight the impact of national service in tackling local problems.

This year’s theme, AmeriCorps is Not a Moment, it’s a Movement, demonstrates the hundreds of thousands of members and volunteers and the millions of alumni who have committed to getting things done for America for the past three decades. At the Food Bank of Central Louisiana approximately 15 AmeriCorps members support the organization’s Mobile Pantry Program. 

The Mobile Pantry Program sends food and groceries into communities where other services are few or do not exist. In many rural, underserved communities, the Food Bank’s Mobile Pantry Program is the only option for residents to access charitable food assistance on a regular and dependable schedule. 

“We are proud to be part of AmeriCorps and grateful for the AmeriCorps members who unite to get things done and make change for Louisiana,” said Jayne Wright-Velez, executive director of the Food Bank of Central Louisiana.  “AmeriCorps members have made a significant impact on our ability to meet our communities’ unique needs through their work with our Mobile Pantry Program.”

During AmeriCorps Week, we recognize the millions of Americans who have chosen to serve their country through AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors to leave an impact on generations of Americans. These members and volunteers who raise their hands to help when needed are often the first on the ground and last to leave—making sure to leave their communities better than they found them. 

As the federal agency for national service and volunteering, AmeriCorps engages more than 200,000 volunteers annually in service at more than 36,000 locations through AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors. National service participants address some of the toughest challenges facing our nation.  From helping communities recover from natural disasters, uplifting veterans and military families, restoring parks, and strengthening public safety to tutoring and mentoring disadvantaged students, national service members get things done.

To join the celebration, follow @AmeriCorps on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn. To join the conversation, share pictures and stories on X, using #AmeriCorpsWeek. Learn more about AmeriCorps opportunities at AmeriCorps.gov/Join.  

### 

The Food Bank of Central Louisiana is a non-profit organization whose mission is to alleviate hunger in central Louisiana. The Food Bank distributes food and grocery products to needy families through a network of approved charitable agencies in the following eleven parishes: Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon and Winn.  The Food Bank’s AmeriCorps Program is supported by a grant from the Volunteer Louisiana Commission in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. 

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/Serve.