Second Harvest Food Bank and Catholic Charities of Acadiana partner to bring a community kitchen to Acadiana

Community kitchen to provide thousands of hot meals each week to people in need

The Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans and Bishop Deshotel of

the Diocese of Lafayette are pleased to announce the partnership of their ministries Second

Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana and Catholic Charities of Acadiana.

“For some timeme, we’ve dreamed about the opportunity to have such a kitchen in Lafayette,

similar to the one we have in our New Orleans-area facility,” said Second Harvest President and

CEO Natalie Jayroe. “Now, thanks to a very generous gift of support by Drew and Brittany Brees,

this dream is now going to be a reality.”

Archbishop Aymond spoke of the importance of being a servant to those most in need in our

communities. “This project, particularly in the midst of the pandemic, is a sign of hope,”

Aymond said. “Feeding the hungry is rooted in the Jewish Scriptures and in the command of

Jesus, “When I was hungry you gave me something to eat.” We are grateful for the generosity of

Drew and Brittany Brees and others that will allow Second Harvest to partner with our sisters

and brothers in the Diocese of Lafayette to care for those who hunger for food and for the care

of others.”

The project when complete, will be a newly remodeled 2,500 square-foot facility in Lafayette,

expanding the scope of services of St. Joseph Diner. Second Harvest and Catholic Charities of

Acadiana will work together to continue feeding those experiencing hunger and homelessness

in Lafayette through St. Joseph Diner. Additionally, the partnership will further its services to

offer senior and children’s feeding programs across Acadiana and Southwest Louisiana.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to formalize our partnership with Second Harvest Food

Bank, to further our shared mission of feeding those experiencing hunger across the

communities we serve. We are appreciative for Drew and Brittany Brees, who without their

investment, this new endeavor would not have been possible” says Catholic Charities of

Acadiana CEO, Kim Boudreaux.

“St. Joseph Diner will have even more support to continue their very important work, while at

the same time helping to feed thousands of people across several parishes. This new

community kitchen will allow us to be able to provide thousands of hot meals each week that

can then be delivered to community partners, seniors, children, and families across the western

part of the state,” Jayroe said.

Second Harvest has worked with Catholic Charities of Acadiana for months in planning the new

kitchen, according to Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette.

"The Drew Brees Foundation has generously pledged to help with the hunger programs

administered by Catholic Charities of Acadiana,” Deshotel said. “Charity towards our brothers

and sisters in the human family is a work of evangelization. Meeting the needs of our neighbors

who are hungry, homeless, or lack proper clothing reflects the love that God has for each of us.

Our acts of charity show others the face of God. Those of any faith or sometimes no faith,

experience God through the charity of others whom they may not even know. They think,

“Someone cares enough to help me in my need”, and that opens the door to God’s love. In this

time of suffering may we all be the bearers of this good news of the Gospel."

Second Harvest Food Bank was founded in 1982 by Archbishop Philip Hannan, who saw a

growing need to fight hunger in our communities. Now, the food bank’s mission has grown to

provide more than 32 million meals a year across 23 parishes. The dream has become reality

following major support from New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and wife Brittany,

who have pledged millions of dollars to organizations like Second Harvest to aid in the response

to the pandemic emergency.

Catholic Charities of Acadiana cares for the sacred gift of all human life, especially the most

vulnerable. CCA operates several programs that serve those who are currently experiencing

homelessness, hunger and poverty in Acadiana. Since 1973, its programs have represented a

response to the Gospel call to carry out the corporal works of mercy: feeding the hungry,

clothing the naked, offering hospitality to the homeless, caring for the sick, visiting the

imprisoned and burying the dead.