Meeting Pope Leo

As a member of the Catholic Charities USA Board of Directors, I had the opportunity to travel to Rome this spring for a private audience with our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. It was my first time traveling to the Vatican, to Rome, or even to Italy. In his address, the Holy Father shared a message of hope and encouragement for the work of Catholic Charities across the United States, as we continue the essential tradition of our faith: caring for the poor. He reminded us that "love for our neighbor is tangible proof of the authenticity of our love for God" (Dilexi Te, 26).

BlogKim BoudreauxJuly 16, 2026Pope, Vatican, Rome, Charity, ServiceComment

Press Release: FoodNet’s Summer “Grab One Extra” Food Drive Encourages Shoppers to Help Feed Acadiana Families

While hunger affects families year-round, summer often presents unique challenges for households already struggling to make ends meet. When school is out of session, many children lose access to free and reduced-price meal programs, placing additional strain on family budgets and increasing demand at local food pantries. Across Acadiana, FoodNet's network of partner agencies regularly experiences a rise in requests for assistance during the summer months as families work to stretch limited resources.

FoodNet, Food Drive, Grab One Extra, BlogBen BroussardJune 22, 2026food drive, hunger, community, acadiana, donations, food bank, summerComment