BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
An outside food bank in downtown Opelousas that includes refrigeration and a separate pantry for community donations, could be ready for operation sometime in January, according to two members of a non-profit group sponsoring the project.
Beth Jones and Tricia Joubert, representing a pair of Opelousas commercial banks, presented the Giving Fridge and Pantry concept on Tuesday during a meeting of the Opelousas Noon Rotary Club.
Jones said the formation of the non-profit established through a concept created through the Greater Opelousas Chamber of Commerce leadership program, will be placed at the St. Landry Bank parking lot once the commercially-sized refrigerator and accompanying pantry are completed and permanently located.
Donations are being used to purchase the oversized refrigerator, while the electricity and other costs associated with the project are being absorbed by St. Landry Bank, said Jones, an Opelousas Noon Rotary club member and loan officer with Evangeline Bank in Opelousas.
Since the refrigerator and the pantry will be located outside St. Landry Bank, Jones said food donations should provide the public with easy access for both the donations and distribution.
“This is an attempt to support the community and provide a meaningful opportunity to support our neighbors who are in need of help. It also gives individuals who have extra food available and restaurants who also want to contribute, a place to provide their leftovers at a safe location,” Jones told the Rotarians.
In order to assist with the food storage and the outtake from the refrigerator and the pantry, Jones suggested that organizations and schools that possess volunteers, could help with the organization and supplies necessary to keep the refrigerator and the pantry operational.
If persons or organizations do not have food to donate, Jones said monetary donations can be accepted through the non-profit.
Joubert said that other communities located near Opelousas might want to use the Giving Fridge and Pantry idea as a blueprint for their areas.
