Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Food Security topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Total Community Action asks council for $50,000 increase to expand food pantry services
Summary
Total Community Action (TCA), the city's designated anti-poverty agency, told the council it served roughly 19,459 people in the last year through mobile and neighborhood pantries and is requesting an increase from $100,000 to $150,000 so 100% of the funds continue to go directly to food purchases and related demonstrations.
A representative of Total Community Action (TCA) told the council that TCA's food pantry program served 19,459 individuals (about 13,000 households) across targeted neighborhoods this year and leveraged partnerships with Second Harvest, the USDA commodities program and local churches.
TCA said their mobile pantry network currently operates six sites and that pantry funding awarded by the council has no staff costs attached: 100% of the municipal allocation goes to food purchases and distribution. The presenter reported TCA registered about 750 people for USDA accountability this year and provided roughly 250 Thanksgiving baskets.
Budget request: TCA asked the council to increase its allocation from $100,000 in the current year to $150,000 for 2025 (an additional $50,000). The agency said the supplementary funds purchase grocery items at $18—21 per unit of aid in their procurement model and said the additional money would expand senior-targeted deliveries and increase the number of households served by at least 20%.
Why it matters: TCA highlighted that senior food insecurity remains severe in New Orleans and pointed to rising grocery prices as a key driver of demand. The presenter said the city funds leverage other donated and federal food sources and that the program includes nutrition demonstrations and efforts to connect pantry recipients to wraparound services.
Next steps: The agency said it will continue mobile site operations and urged the council to consider the request in the final budget; the presenter noted the award would be applied directly to food procurement.
