The recipient entity's physical address:
           4600 Central Avenue
Monroe, LA 71203

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           PO Box 5048
Monroe, LA 71211

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  3809

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $2,500,000

What type of request is this?  Capital Outlay Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Jean Toth – Executive Director – 4600 Central Ave., Monroe, LA 71203
Tisha Arnold – President – 403 Main St., GSU, Box 4268, Grambling, LA 71245
Marisol O’Neal - Vice President - 1511 North Trenton St, Ruston, LA 71270
Stewart Robinette – Treasurer - 1900 North 18th St., Suite 606, Monroe, LA 71201
Seth Hall – Secretary - 124 Avant St., West Monroe, LA 71291
Rosie Brown – Member - 409 Second St., Lake Providence, LA 71254
Michael Crenshaw – Member - 201 Victory Blvd., Suite 265, Monroe, LA 71203
Linda Holyfield – Member – 1704 Island Dr., Monroe, LA 71201
Kimberly Hudson – Member – PO Box 4503, Monroe, LA 71211
Pam Lavender – Member – 1200 Lamy Ln., Monroe, LA 71201
Jay Mitchell – Member – 210 Hines Ln., West Monroe, LA 71291
Sonny Oliver – Member – 430 Millhaven Rd., Monroe, LA 71203
Dana Taylor – Member – 268 Bayou Bank Dr., Monroe, LA 71203
Sarah Thornhill, CPA – Member – 1900 Roselawn Ave., Monroe, LA 71201
Susan Weaver – Member – 1521 Adams St., Monroe, LA 71201
Chelsea Monae Williams – Member – 200 Pavillion Rd., West Monroe, LA 71292
Juanita Woods – Member – 2411 Wood St., Monroe, LA 71201
Roderick Worthy – Member – PO Box 35803, West Monroe, LA 71294

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana is requesting $2.5 million in capital outlay funds to support critical infrastructure improvements at its newly acquired permanent facility. This investment will enable the Food Bank to increase its capacity to address food insecurity across a 12-parish region—one of the most food-insecure areas in the country—where 1 in 5 residents and 1 in 3 children face hunger.
Currently operating in an over-capacity leased warehouse space, the Food Bank distributes 8 million meals annually to over 32,000 individuals through a network of 60+ community partners. The new facility, nearly four times larger, will include expanded dry and cold storage, a volunteer center, and upgraded shipping and receiving docks.
Renovations will include installation of warehouse racking, construction of large coolers and freezers, and essential repairs to HVAC, electrical, roofing, and office space. The total estimated project cost is $14 million, with $5.5 million already secured through philanthropic support. A strategic investment from the State of Louisiana is vital to complete this transformational project, ensuring the Food Bank can continue to meet growing needs and provide food and hope to Northeast Louisiana.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $0
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $4,800,000
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $9,200,000
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          Not Applicable

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          Founded in 1996, the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana exists to combat hunger and build food security across a 12-parish region through food access, education, advocacy, and disaster response. Each month, we serve over 32,000 individuals through a network of 60+ community partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens, and children’s programs. The Food Bank also partners with local schools, fire departments, mayors and elected officials for additional food distribution throughout our region. The parishes we serve are: Caldwell; East Carroll; Franklin; Jackson; Lincoln; Madison; Morehouse; Ouachita; Richland; Tensas; Union; and West Carroll. The total population of these 12 parishes is approximately 350,000 people.
State funding will support critical infrastructure improvements at our newly acquired distribution center, enabling us to significantly increase our capacity to store and distribute fresh and frozen foods. These renovations will directly enhance our ability to meet rising food insecurity needs and respond effectively to disasters—ensuring that vulnerable residents across Northeast Louisiana have reliable access to nutritious food.
Providing food, a basic human need, to tens of thousands of residents in one of the most food-insecure areas of the country has a profound impact on health, stability, and overall community resilience.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The Food Bank provides vital programs and services that build sustainability for low-income and working-class families and creates a healthier and stronger community. At the heart of our mission is a simple but powerful goal: to ensure that no one in Northeast Louisiana goes hungry. The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana is committed to expanding our ability to provide more nutritious food—especially fresh produce and protein—to the over 32,000 neighbors we serve each month.
Our new facility will allow us to safely store and distribute significantly more nutritious food, meeting the growing need in our community. It will also provide a climate-controlled, welcoming space for our dedicated staff and thousands of volunteers who play a vital role in our operations.
With this investment, we aim to:
• Increase the amount of food distributed to families, children, and seniors in need; 8 million meals in FY 2025, to 12.5 million meals when complete and operating at capacity.
• Double volunteer engagement, building on the 6,200+ hours contributed in FY 2025—equivalent to three full-time staff, to 12,000+ hours in FY 2027.
• Increase food box packing capabilities by at least 120%, reducing outsourcing costs by $148,000 annually and increasing efficiency.
• Eliminate the need for rented cold storage units, saving $49,682 annually and improving food safety.
• Create a safer, more efficient distribution hub that strengthens our ability to respond to both every day hunger and emergency situations.
This project is more than a building - when complete, it will be a lifeline for the 69,080 individuals that are considered food insecure, and the 23,310 children in our service area that may not know where their next meal will come from. With a strategic investment from the State of Louisiana, we can turn this vision into reality and bring lasting hope to our community.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           The retrofitting of the building is estimated to be complete by summer 2026.

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                 

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
              

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
               

          What is the nature of the relationship? 

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
Food Distribution Division
5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 4002
Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Louisiana Department of Health
Children and Families
628 N. 4th Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
Food Distribution Division
Nature of the contract: Receipt, Storage and Distribution of Donated Commodities (TEFAP)

Louisiana Department of Health
Children and Families
Nature of the contract: SNAP application assistance


Contact Information
name:  Jean Toth 
                                       address:  4600 Central Ave.,
Monroe, LA 71203
                                       phone:  318-322-3567
                                       fax:  318-322-1620
                                       e-mail:  jtoth@fbnela.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Executive Director