Martha Marak, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana, sits down with Jeffrey Goodman, Director of Marketing and Development for the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana, to answer the following questions:

0:32 1. Martha, you are the Executive Director of the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana.

In a little while, we will get more into the details and specifics of your work at the Food Bank. But before we do, let’s start here today. For the more fortunate and/or moneyed people in our community, paint a picture of what food insecurity looks and feels like for many of our residents in Northwest Louisiana.

3:23 2. The Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana is the largest distributor of donated food for our 7 parish area and one of only five food banks in the state. You sort, warehouse and distribute food to over 150 non-profit organizations, shelters and churches in the seven-parish region of Caddo, Bossier, Bienville, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River, and Webster.

Simply put, you oversee one of the most important nonprofit organizations in our community whose mission is to serve as the primary resource for fighting hunger in Northwest Louisiana.

What are the Food Bank’s greatest challenges today and for those in our community listening, how can they best help you achieve your mission?

13:03 03. I know from preparing for today’s discussion and taking in all the different information on your website that the Food Bank offers a number of different programs. Talk to me about 2-3 of your key programs, whether it’s the Backpack Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Senior Program or other programs altogether.

26:33 4. As you look around our community, what are some of the things that concern you the most?

31:12 5. What gives you hope that we’re headed in the right direction as a community?