New Orleans, LA– The Feeding the Children Planning Summit, organized by Bright Moments LLC and its partners, took place on April 20, 2024, at Xavier University. The event successfully brought together community leaders, policymakers, non-profit organizations, and food distributors to address the critical issue of childhood hunger in Louisiana. The Feed the Children Summit NOLA is powered by local partnerships as a community-driven solution created to directly address the urgent need of food insecure children and families left unsupported by the withdrawal of Federal EBT summer meal assistance.
Bill Rouselle, founder of Bright Moments LLC, expressed the significance of the event, stating, “Today, I think we begin to demonstrate the power of a unified community.” His words stress the importance of collaboration and collective action in addressing complex social issues like childhood hunger. Rouselle emphasized that the summit’s ability to gather a diverse group of participants created a platform for shared goals, innovative strategies, and the stage for developing sustainable solutions to ensure that no child goes hungry.
The summit featured a series of panels, brainstorming sessions, and speeches designed to foster collaboration and develop innovative solutions to combat food insecurity among children in the state. The diverse group of stakeholders who participated in the summit shared ideas, resources, and strategies aimed at making a tangible difference in the lives of children facing hunger.
During one of the panel discussions, Natalie Jayroe from Second Harvest highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, “About one in seven of our population is food insecure and one in five of our children are food insecure. Unfortunately, over the last couple of years, that has gotten much, much worse, partly as a result of the Covid area support.”
The recent Feeding the Children Planning Summit NOLA was a resounding success, bringing together influential voices in the battle against hunger. Keynote speakers, including representatives from Second Harvest Food Bank and Total Community Action, Inc., shared their invaluable insights and experiences, setting the tone for the day. The event featured engaging panel discussions that delved into the pressing issues of child poverty and food insecurity in Louisiana and Greater New Orleans, offering a platform for candid dialogue and innovative solutions.
Attendees also benefited from ample networking opportunities, connecting with fellow advocates and forging partnerships that promise to extend the impact of the summit well into the future. The summit highlighted the power of collaboration in addressing food insecurity and underscored our collective commitment to ensuring every child has access to nutritious meals. This event marks a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to combat childhood hunger and foster a healthier, more secure community.
Thelma French emphasized community involvement, saying, “If I name every organization I’m a member and I ask each one of them, ‘Tell me one thing you can do to help us address this,’ we can make an impact.”
The summit received an overwhelming response from participants, who expressed their commitment to continuing the fight against childhood hunger in their communities, demonstrating that while the challenges are significant, the commitment and innovation within the community are even greater. Bright Moments LLC and its partners are determined to maintain the momentum generated by the summit, continuing to work together to create a future where no child has to worry about their next meal. Moving forward, we will host a comprehensive directory of resources and services on our website to help individuals access support for combating food insecurity. Additionally, we will provide regular updates to news outlets on upcoming activities and events to keep the community engaged and informed. The success of this event is a testament to what can be achieved when diverse groups unite for a common cause, and it sets a hopeful precedent for future initiatives aimed at addressing food insecurity and other critical social issues.
