Alexandria, LA (October 26, 2025) — As the federal government shutdown continues, thousands of Louisiana families are searching for ways to access food assistance following an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that November SNAP benefits will not be issued until funding resumes.
Last week, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed Executive Order JML 25-123 declaring a state of emergency to help address food insecurity caused by the lapse in federal funding. The order authorizes state agencies to coordinate emergency responses and prevents price gouging during the crisis.
According to the Governor’s Office, roughly 792,000 Louisianians rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), including 356,000 children, 120,000 individuals with disabilities, and 88,000 seniors. The declaration allows the state to use funds from Louisiana’s Revenue Stabilization Fund to help residents facing immediate food shortages.
Residents in need of food support can turn to several statewide resources:
- Vivery.org — Provides a searchable database of national and local food pantries and meal programs. Users can search by ZIP code to find nearby assistance.
- FeedingLouisiana.org — Offers statewide listings of food banks and community partners. Louisiana has five main food banks serving different regions across the state, each providing food distribution and referral assistance.
Louisiana’s Regional Food Banks
1. Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana
285 Mt. Zion Road, Shreveport, LA 71106
Mailing: P.O. Box 65150, Shreveport, LA 71136
Phone: (318) 675-2400
Website: www.foodbanknla.org
Serves: Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, Red River, and DeSoto Parishes.
2. Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana
4600 Central Avenue, Monroe, LA 71203
Phone: (318) 322-3567
Website: www.foodbanknela.org
Serves: Twelve parishes across Northeast Louisiana.
3. Food Bank of Central Louisiana
3223 Baldwin Avenue, Alexandria, LA 71301
Phone: (318) 445-2773
Website: www.fbcenla.org
Serves: Eleven Central Louisiana parishes including Rapides, Avoyelles, and Natchitoches.
4. Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
10600 S. Choctaw Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70815
Phone: (225) 359-9940
Website: www.brfoodbank.org
Serves: Eleven parishes across the Baton Rouge region.
5. Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans & Acadiana
700 Edwards Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70123
Phone: (504) 734-1322
Website: www.no-hunger.org
Serves: Twenty-three parishes across South Louisiana and Acadiana.
Community members are also encouraged to check with local churches, schools, and nonprofit organizations for neighborhood food distribution events and mobile pantry schedules.
If you or someone you know is struggling to access food, visit www.vivery.org or www.feedinglouisiana.org for up-to-date locations and assistance hours.
If you know of an organization providing food assistance that should be added to this list, please let us know so we can help spread the word.
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