A Sampling of Louisiana’s Many Volunteer Opportunities
Whether you’ve been a regular volunteer or are considering joining their ranks soon, there’s no better time than the holidays to bring cheer to those in need.
If you would like to join those dedicated volunteers this season, Volunteer Louisiana, the state’s service commission, is a great place to start. This organization oversees AmeriCorps, the state service program that identifies opportunities to increase national service and volunteerism throughout Louisiana. Volunteer Louisiana also shares these guidelines for volunteers and volunteer organizations during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance wishes you and yours a safe and merry Christmas and a prosperous new year!
Louisiana Food Banks
Local food banks around Louisiana operate as one of the strongest ties to their communities, distributing donated foods to thousands each year—and none of it would be possible without thousands of volunteers.
Food distribution is available through dedicated and mobile food pantries, backpack programs, senior citizen boxed meals, after-school snacks, summer meals for students, and more.
Volunteer opportunities include sorting, packaging food, managing or promoting food drives, delivering meals, serving plates at community centers, special events, and fundraising.
Below, we highlight a few of the nearly 50 food banks in Louisiana. For other locations, check this directory of all food distribution centers.
Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana
285 Mount. Zion Road
Shreveport, Louisiana 71106
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana
4600 Central Avenue
Monroe, Louisiana 71203
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Food Bank of Central Louisiana
223 Baldwin Avenue
Alexandria, Louisiana 71301
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8-11:45 a.m. and 1-2:45 p.m.
Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
10600 South Choctaw
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70815
Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Second Harvest Food Bank – Feeding South Louisiana
700 Edwards Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana 70123
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Hurricane Ida Relief Efforts
People from Louisiana are used to helping one another when it comes to hurricanes and major storms. Whether it’s lending a hand in preparation for severe weather or assisting neighbors, friends, and strangers with recovery efforts after a natural disaster, we come together.
Volunteer Louisiana, in conjunction with AmeriCorps, urges those who wish to assist the many who still need help after Ida left its mark on New Orleans and other Louisiana communities to contact them at Volunteer Louisiana in Baton Rouge or call (225) 342-2038.
Whether you are a survivor in need or a volunteer willing to offer your time and skills, start with Volunteer Louisiana for resources that can aid you in finding help for yourself or to connect with those who need it the most. You can also find five pages of urgent needs that people from Louisiana are still facing around the state as a result of Hurricane Ida, including tasks such as food distribution, diaper drives, delivery driving, rebuilding efforts, debris clean-up, and much more.
American Red Cross
Ever wonder where all those volunteers come from who pop up so quickly every time there is a disaster in Louisiana? Most likely American Red Cross volunteers from around Louisiana and beyond are among the first volunteers to be on the scene providing aid, comfort, and information to those affected.
Volunteers carry out 90 percent of the humanitarian work of the Red Cross. If you would like to join the thousands who have a heart for being on the front lines when disaster strikes, check their FAQs about how it works.
In our state, the Red Cross is organized under the main umbrella known as the Louisiana Region, which covers all 64 parishes. The region has three Red Cross branches around the state, with offices in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and New Orleans.
Louisiana Capital Area-West
4655 Sherwood Common Boulevard
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816
redcross.org/local/louisiana/about-us/locations/louisiana-capital-area-west.html
The Louisiana Capital-West Chapter supports the Capital area, Acadiana, and southwest Louisiana, while collaborating across the statewide region.
North Louisiana Chapter
805 Brook Hollow Dr.
Shreveport, Louisiana 71105
redcross.org/local/louisiana/about-us/locations/north-louisiana.html
The North Louisiana Chapter supports central, northeast and northwest Louisiana, while collaborating across the statewide region. In addition to Shreveport, offices are in Alexandria, Monroe, Fort Polk, and Barksdale Air Force Base.
Southeast Louisiana – Greater Orleans Area (Regional Headquarters)
2640 Canal Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70119
(504) 620-3105 or 1-800-229-8191
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Southeast Louisiana Chapter supports the greater New Orleans area, including Northshore, River and Bayou areas, while collaborating across the statewide region. Additional offices are in Madisonville and Hahnville.
Habitat for Humanity
People in your local community and all over the world partner with Habitat to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners build their own homes alongside volunteers, pay an affordable mortgage and are able to build a better life.
Habitat organizations are serving Louisiana in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Franklinton, Lafayette, Mandeville, Monroe, New Iberia, New Orleans, Slidell, and Thibodaux. There are now builds for women, home preservation, veterans, and youth programs. There are collegiate challenges and group opportunities for businesses, faith partners, and community organizations.
Support Louisiana With Farm Bureau Insurance
Since 1950, Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance has protected the residents of our state with high-quality insurance coverage. For a no-risk quote on auto, home, and life insurance, use our Agent Finder to locate an agent near you.