(HOUMA) The Bayou Community Foundation (BCF) today announced a $2,000 grant to Second Harvest Food Bank to expand food distribution at two food pantries in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes that currently feed over 1,200 local residents in need each month.

With the grant, Second Harvest has purchased refrigerators and freezers for its local food distribution partners Plymouth Rock Baptist Church in Houma and United Gospel Tabernacle/Hope Center in Galliano that will allow these pantries to provide perishable food items like meat and dairy products to hungry families on a regular basis.

“Hunger is very real in our community, and there a growing need among local families for basic, nutritious food that most of us take for granted every day, like meat, milk and vegetables,” says BCF President Dr. James Leonard. “As Bayou Community Foundation works to fill critical needs in our community, food security has been one of our grant priorities. We are pleased to award this grant to Second Harvest to help these local food banks feed hundreds of needy families right here at home.”

The $2,000 BCF grant was made possible by contributions to the foundation’s Second Harvest Fund, designed to lead the fight against hunger and build food security in Terrebonne, Lafourche and Grand Isle.

“Second Harvest is grateful for the Bayou Community Foundation’s support,” said Natalie Jayroe, President and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank.  “We are continuing to see an increase in the need for food and groceries, especially in the Bayou Region due to the downturn in the oil and gas industry.  This grant is making a big difference by providing two food pantries in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes with the equipment they need to distribute more nutritious food to hungry children, families, and seniors.”

Plymouth Rock Baptist Church serves up to 235 residents a month and provides 55,000 pounds of food annually, and United Gospel Tabernacle/Hope Center serves more than 1,000 residents a month and provides 280,000 pounds of food a year.

“The freezer and refrigerator are great blessings to Plymouth Rock Baptist Church Food Bank.  They allow us to have more milk, eggs, meat and frozen food to distribute to our clients more often than ever before. We would like to thank Second Harvest and the Bayou Community Foundation for these wonderful gifts for our community,”  said Plymouth Rock food pantry manager Barbara Moore.