Routine at New Orleans Catholic-run food bank getting back to normal

Published: 2006-01-13

NEW ORLEANS (CNS) -- Before hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, run by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, was operating at capacity, moving 14 million pounds of food a year. In the 12 weeks after the storms, "we doubled that," said Jenny Rodgers, the food bank's director of development and public relations. "We're nearing 35 million pounds" making it the largest Second Harvest Food operation in the country, she said. The food bank is an affiliate of America's Second Harvest, a national food bank network. After Katrina, the New Orleans' food bank was running 12 hours a day, seven days a week. But in recent weeks, demand has slacked off, Rodgers said. "We're seeing the immediate response agencies beginning to shut down, and those agencies that will stick around are putting down roots. It's leveling out now and we're tightening up our controls," she said.

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