Second Harvest Will Have a Food Distribution in Lafayette, Louisiana

Trying to afford all of life's essentials, including food, can be a major struggle for many families in our area.

The Louisiana Association of United Ways reports that half a million people in our state are considered ALICE families which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed but earn above the Federal Poverty level. These people still are struggling each day to make ends meet.

United Way points out the following about the thousands of people categorized as ALICE:

• They work two or more jobs, and they still can't pay their bills.
• They live paycheck to paycheck, and many are faced with making a choice between food, medical needs, getting gas, or paying the electric bill.
• They have family members who need special care and assistance
• Their pay doesn't keep up with the rising cost of goods and services.

Talk to anyone and they will tell you how they feel the pinch that happens when you are buying groceries and trying to fill up your gas tank.

Regional Director for Second Harvest Food Bank, Paul Scelfo, had the following to say about their food distribution event,

At Second Harvest, we understand the challenges that many families face during the holiday season, especially in the wake of economic instability and the rising cost of food, housing, and other basic needs. We hope that our 'Food from the Heart' Holiday Food Distribution event will provide much-needed assistance to many families who are bracing for another difficult holiday season.

Second Harvest Food Bank will have a food distribution event in Lafayette. They are hoping to be able to help 600 families with the donated items.

This is on a first-come, first-served basis. Here are some of the items that will be included:

Turkey

Seasonal Produce

Stuffing

Cranberry sauce

Assorted other items 

The food distribution event will happen on Wednesday, December 20 at the Martin Luther King Center in Lafayette from 10 a.m. until noon.

The Martin Luther King Center is located in Dorsey Park at 309 Cora Street.

Feeding America points out that 1 in 5 children in our state are food insecure, and 1 in 7 people face the same situation.

Unfortunately, life circumstances can change in an instant and when these circumstances change families can be without enough money to feed their families.

This will be a drive-through distribution.