Entergy And Second Harvest Host Food Drive Today In Lafayette

An Entergy bucket truck will soon be used to provide a completely different service for the community - fighting hunger. Today, Wednesday, May 16, Entergy and Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana plan to "Fill the Bucket Truck with 2,000 Meals" to help address the increased need for emergency food assistance during summer months when children are out of school. Food items may be dropped off from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the intersection of Bertrand Street and Congress Street, donors can enter the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Cajun Field at the intersection of Bertrand Street and Reinhardt Street.

"At Entergy, we estimate that as many as 25 percent of our residential customers live in poverty, and one in every five children in Louisiana is at risk for hunger," said Liz Duhon, customer service manager for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C. "That's why we sponsor low-income initiatives that give a helping hand to those in our communities who need it most.

"The food donations we collect help provide nutritious meals to thousands of children who might otherwise go hungry in the summer months when schools are closed," Duhon continued. "We hope we can count on the community's support and generosity to make the 2012 food drive a great success."

Across Second Harvest Food Bank's 23-parish service area, which includes southwest Louisiana, more than 245,000 - or 63 percent - of children in public and charter schools rely on the federal free- and reduced-meal programs for breakfast and lunch during the school year. However, in the summer months, only 13 percent of these children have access to a feeding program.

Press release from 4-traders.com