BR food giveaway to begin today

• By STEVEN WARD
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Jul 7, 2009 - Page: 1B

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For the third time this year, city-parish officials and members of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank will be giving away food to eligible parish residents as part of a quarterly commodities program.

The Needy Family Food Distribution Program, to be held today through Monday, is run by the city-parish’s Division of Human Development and Office of Social Services with food provided by the food bank, said Irby Hornsby, executive program administrator of the Human Development Division.

The food distribution program, which has been in place since 1981, serves about 5,000 low-income families in the parish, Hornsby said.

The first two distributions this year were held in January and April.

The fourth and last distribution for the year is scheduled for October, Hornsby said.

Mike Manning, president and chief executive officer of the food bank, said canned foods and items such as rice and pasta are the usual staples distributed to those in need.

Because of economic-stimulus money from the federal government this year, Manning said, the program will be giving away new items, including frozen turkey breast and chicken.

Residents need to qualify for eligibility to receive food from the program, Hornsby said.

As an example, a family of four must have an annual household income of less than $28,665 to qualify.

For information, call (225) 358-4561.

The dates, locations and times for the third-quarter distribution are:

• Alsen Community Center, 393 Old Rafe Mayer Road, on Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.
• Assisi Building, the assisted living center at 7585 Bishop Ott Drive, on Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.
• Calais House, 7545 Bishop Ott Drive, on Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.
• Catholic Presbytery, 665 North St., on Friday from noon to 4 p.m.
• Central Fire Station, 11646 Sullivan Road, on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Chaneyville Community Center, 13211 Jackson Road, Zachary, today from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Chateau Louis, 7565 Bishop Ott Drive, on Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.
• Colonial Court, 5656 McClelland Drive, today from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Delmont Service Center at 3535 Riley St., on Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Elm Grove Baptist Church at 1069 N. 38th St., on Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Elm Street Apartments, 4250 Elm St., on Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m.
• Leo S. Butler Center, 1950 E. Washington St., on Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center, 4142 Gus Young Ave., on Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.
• North Baton Rouge Community Center, 2013 Central Road, on Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Oak Park Plaza, 947 N. Bon Marche Drive, on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• The Rural Program, 5737 Rollins Road, Zachary, on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• The Center, a facility for the elderly at 2271 Mason Ave., today from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• St. George Fire Station, 7027 Antioch Road, on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Sharlo Apartments I, 4975 Alvin Dark Drive, on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sharlo Apartments II, 1808 Brightside Lane, on Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Villa St. Francis, 7575 Bishop Ott Drive, on Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.
• Wesley Plaza, 5222 Hollywood St., on Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon.