The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and Hope Ministries are asking area residents to assist in a time of dire need, according to a news release issued Monday from Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden’s office.
Hundreds of Baton Rouge residents are lacking basic funds for food and other necessities, the Food Bank has seen a sudden increase in need, according to the release.
The urgent need is due to a “perfect storm” of circumstances, said Charlene Montelaro, vice president of development and philanthropy at the Food Bank.
Montelaro said community donations usually decrease during the summer as residents are occupied with vacations and other seasonal circumstances, but assistance usually returns as fall holidays approach.
But the poor economic quality in Baton Rouge and the U.S. caused an unusual time of increased need, she said.
“Many people are one check away from needing our services,” Montelaro said.
Summer is especially difficult for senior citizens, who have to budget tightly for increased utility bills from high temperatures in addition to prescriptions and food, she said.
As of Friday, the Food Bank’s resources were reduced to Meals Ready to Eat, watermelon and water, Montelaro said, but some help came over the weekend.
“We urgently need the community to respond to this crisis,” Holden said in the release. “From individuals to organizations to businesses, the message is, ‘We need