On a significant day for the Bayou community, the Bayou Community Foundation (BCF) awarded a total of $358,000 in grants to 30 nonprofit organizations. This milestone marks the largest amount ever granted by the foundation in the 12-year history of its Annual Nonprofit Grants Program, as per this news article from Houma Today. The funding is intended to address critical needs such as hunger, homelessness, and mental health care in the Lafourche, Terrebonne, and Grand Isle areas. This latest disbursement brings the BCF’s total investment in essential community programs and hurricane recovery efforts to over $12 million since 2013.

At the award ceremony, President Henry Lafont expressed the Bayou Community Foundation’s deep appreciation for the local nonprofits that tirelessly work to support the most vulnerable members of the community. He emphasized the compassion and resilience displayed by these organizations, which serve as the backbone of the unique Bayou community. Lafont noted that this year’s grants, amounting to $358,000, were made possible through the extraordinary generosity of BCF’s donors. He described the event as a celebration of the community’s collective effort to uplift those in need.

The grants awarded by the Bayou Community Foundation in 2024 support a range of vital nonprofit programs. These initiatives include feeding the hungry, providing shelter for the homeless, and offering low-cost or free counseling and addiction treatment services to under-resourced individuals. The funding also addresses other urgent needs identified in the foundation’s 2023 Community Needs Assessment. Specifically, the grants support educational and training opportunities for underserved populations in rural areas, financial assistance to help low-income residents with utility and housing expenses, community gardens that supply fresh vegetables to those in need, and water safety education to prevent drownings in the region’s bayou communities.

One of the foundation’s key priorities this year has been addressing the growing issue of food insecurity in Lafourche, Terrebonne, and Grand Isle. Consequently, 40% of the awarded funds were allocated to support food distribution efforts at local food banks and pantries. The largest grant of $40,000 was given to the TCU Food Bank, enabling it to purchase and distribute food to thousands of individuals, including children, in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. Daisy Cheramie, Executive Director of the TCU Food Bank, highlighted the increasing prevalence of hunger in the area, particularly among the working poor. She noted that the food bank served 31,000 people last year and is on track to assist 36,000 individuals this year. Cheramie expressed her gratitude to the BCF, stating that the generous grant would significantly expand their capacity to feed more people in need.

The success of Bayou Community Foundation’s grants program relies heavily on the support of various donors. These include major contributors like The Gheens Foundation, Woodside Energy, Chevron, and the Callais Family Fund, as well as numerous local individuals, families, and businesses. These donors share a passion for enhancing the quality of life for local residents and strengthening the community as a whole.

Similarly, Leah Brown, Public Affairs Manager for Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit, affirmed Chevron’s dedication to giving back to the communities where its employees live and work. She commended the BCF for its mission to build and sustain the Lafourche, Terrebonne, and Grand Isle areas. Brown expressed anticipation for the positive impacts these grants will have in the near future and expressed a desire to continue working together to achieve common goals.

The grants were awarded during a ceremony held at Fletcher Technical Community College in Schriever, where representatives from the 30 nonprofit organizations gathered to receive their grants. Among the grantees were a wide range of programs, from those providing direct aid like the 32nd JDC Family Preservation Court and Bags of Hope, to those offering educational and developmental support like Fletcher Technical Community College and Wallace Community Center. Each organization plays a crucial role in addressing the multifaceted needs of the Bayou community.

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