Hurricane Katrina

The Food Bank reached out to our food industry partners to acquire emergency food items such as water, individual snack items and cleaning supplies. To facilitate emergency relief efforts, we contacted more than 150 food assistance programs in New Orleans to ascertain whether they were operating and able to receive supplies. The Food Bank also recruited program and distribution specialists to provide on-the-ground assistance in relief efforts in Louisiana and other areas affected by Katrina. They worked tirelessly alongside other workers, aiding the efforts to help organize volunteers and provide emergency food to residents who lost their homes and jobs.

On September 17, 2005, the Food Bank and City Harvest held a one-day Hurricane Katrina Emergency Food Drive, collecting more than 20,000 pounds of canned goods for the long-term food needs of people affected by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the surrounding areas. In total, the Food Bank collected 60,000 pounds of food for the hurricane relief effort from vendors and the food drive effort.