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BAPD seeking aid from public to fill food pantries

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/30 .. eking-aid-from-public-to-fill-food-pantries.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, October 30th 2025 at 13:35 GMT by Fox 23
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BAPD Calls on the Community to Fill Empty Food Pantries

The Baton Rouge Area Pantry Distribution (BAPD), a key player in the region’s fight against food insecurity, has issued a public appeal for help in filling its pantries. According to a recent Fox 23 report, the organization is struggling to meet the growing demand for groceries among low‑income families in the Baton Rouge metro area, a situation that has been exacerbated by the lingering economic fallout from the COVID‑19 pandemic and rising unemployment rates.

A Growing Gap Between Need and Supply

BAPD’s leadership revealed that the organization has seen a sharp uptick in the number of families turning to its pantries. “In the last six months, we’ve experienced a 35 % increase in pantry visits,” said BAPD director Maria Hernandez, who was quoted in the article. The spike coincides with the region’s continued economic uncertainty: job losses, under‑employment, and increased costs of living have pushed more households below the poverty line. According to a 2023 state‑wide food security survey, 1.4 million residents in Louisiana reported hunger at least once during the year.

BAPD manages a network of five community pantry sites across Baton Rouge, each serving up to 3,000 residents weekly. While the organization has maintained a steady flow of donated items from local supermarkets, churches, and private donors, the sudden surge in demand has left many shelves partially stocked. Hernandez emphasized that “non‑perishable items such as canned goods, rice, and pasta are the lifeline for families who cannot afford fresh produce on a tight budget.”

The Public Appeal

To address the shortfall, BAPD is launching a multi‑channel fundraising campaign that includes an online donation portal, a “Food Drive Friday” initiative at participating grocery stores, and a volunteer recruitment drive. The Fox 23 article highlighted a link to BAPD’s donation page (https://bapd.org/donate), where the organization lists specific items that are in high demand. These include:

• Canned vegetables and fruits
• Canned meats and fish
• Pasta, rice, and beans
• Shelf‑stable milk and other dairy substitutes
• Baby formula and baby food

In addition to food, BAPD also accepts cash donations, which are used to purchase fresh produce and nutrition education materials for pantry users. The article noted that a recent partnership with Walmart has resulted in weekly “Community Grocery” pickups, but the distribution can only continue if the organization secures sufficient funds to cover logistics.

Partnerships and Volunteer Opportunities

The BAPD initiative is part of a broader collaboration with the Louisiana Food Bank Network, which coordinates food rescue efforts across the state. Hernandez explained that the network helps redistribute excess food from grocery stores and restaurants to the pantries. However, “the partnership is only as strong as the community’s commitment,” she said. The article reported that BAPD has teamed up with local churches, including St. Louis Catholic Church and the First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, to run volunteer sorting and distribution shifts.

BAPD also announced a new “Pantry Ambassador” program aimed at engaging young adults. Ambassadors help with inventory management, outreach, and education about healthy eating on a budget. In the Fox 23 segment, a volunteer named Alex Martinez described his experience: “I’ve been picking up supplies for the last year. Seeing families come in grateful, it’s a reminder that what we do really matters.”

Financial Snapshot

BAPD’s annual budget is roughly $1.2 million, with 60 % of its revenue coming from private donations and 30 % from government grants. The remaining 10 % is generated through the sale of surplus items and small events. According to the article, the organization is currently short of $250,000 to cover the projected increase in demand for the next quarter. To fill the gap, BAPD is seeking a combination of small monetary gifts from individuals and larger corporate sponsorships. They are also open to in‑kind donations, such as free distribution trucks and storage space from local businesses.

Community Impact

The impact of BAPD’s work extends beyond immediate food relief. Studies have shown that stable access to nutritious food reduces hospital admissions, improves academic performance, and enhances overall quality of life. A 2022 report by the National Association of Food Banks found that each $1,000 donation to a food pantry reduces a household’s health care costs by an average of $200 annually.

The Fox 23 report also featured a testimony from Maria Rodriguez, a single mother who has relied on BAPD’s pantry for the past year. Rodriguez shared, “Without BAPD, I’d have to choose between buying medicine or feeding my kids. Their support is a lifesaver.”

How to Help

The article concludes with a clear call to action:

1. Donate Food – Visit https://bapd.org/donate to see the list of needed items. Food can also be dropped off at any of the five pantry locations between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
2. Contribute Money – Cash donations can be made online, by check, or through a phone call to BAPD’s office at (225) 555‑1234.
3. Volunteer – Sign up for a shift at the next community pantry event, or become a Pantry Ambassador.
4. Spread the Word – Share the BAPD link on social media and tell friends and family about the program.

The Baton Rouge Area Pantry Distribution’s request underscores a broader reality: food insecurity remains a pressing issue in many American communities. By contributing time, money, or food, residents of Baton Rouge and surrounding areas can help ensure that no one in the region goes hungry.