On Friday, August 27, 2010, I was in New Orleans to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation to the Gulf Coast. The event was held at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana. It was a hot and humid morning as we began the assembly of emergency food boxes alongside Archbishop Gregory Michael Aymond, food bank executive director Natalie Jayroe and other notable citizens of New Orleans, the Gulf Coast and federal officials.
As we assembled the boxes, I remembered our many partnerships that have helped FNS in addressing the issue of hunger in Louisiana. I felt that it was important to volunteer my time in memory of those who were affected by the devastation caused by the storm.
I’ve had the pleasure to meet with Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans, Feeding America and other state, local stakeholders to address the importance of nutrition and access to healthy food for families including children and senior citizens that rely on food assistance. Our partnerships proved to be a critical component in ensuring that those affected by Hurricane Katrina had access to healthy food. The Southwest Region will continue to work with our partners as we work to end hunger by 2015.
