Tag: community

Combating Food Insecurity through New Food Pantry Grant

Southeastern has been awarded an $11,220 grant through the 2024 Food Love Grants Program. The prestigious award makes Southeastern only the second university to receive the grant since the program’s inception.

Made possible by the Popeyes Foundation’s SERVING WITH LOVE® initiative, the grant will enhance resources for the Southeastern Food Pantry, which serves students experiencing food insecurity.

The grant was made possible through the efforts of Student Engagement Assistant Director Adonica Reed, Graduate Assistant Patrick O’Neil, and the Office for Student Engagement staff who successfully applied for the funding to support the university’s ongoing work in combating food insecurity.

O’Neil shared his enthusiasm for the grant. “I’m excited to be partnering with Popeyes to help give back to our campus community,” he said. “I can speak for all of the pantry staff when I say that our students and campus workers are going to be ecstatic when we have an abundance of food.”

The Food Love Grants Program, inspired by Popeyes’ New Orleans heritage, focuses on food access and community support. The funding will help the Southeastern Food Pantry expand its services, ensuring students can prioritize their academic goals without the challenge of food insecurity.

“This generous grant will make a big difference for our students,” Reed said. “We’re grateful to the Popeyes Foundation for their support, which will help us continue to serve those who need it most.”

“Popeyes® and the Popeyes Foundation are proud to give back to our local communities. Through our SERVING WITH LOVE® initiative, we will continue providing our team members emergency-related support and give back to local Popeyes® communities through our Food Love Grants Program,” said Executive Director of the Popeyes Foundation Renee Hobbs. “The Popeyes Foundation partners with Popeyes® restaurants to raise funds for our SERVING WITH LOVE® initiative, so we can support our Popeyes® family and our local neighborhoods.”

For more information on Southeastern’s Food Pantry and its services, visit southeastern.edu/foodpantry.

Empowering Future Hispanic Leaders

Southeastern’s Latin American Business Development Initiative recently concluded its Young Hispanic Pre-College Preparation and Leadership Program, an initiative that brought together 30 high school seniors from Hammond, Independence, and Ponchatoula. The program, held several Saturdays in September and October, aims to prepare Hispanic students for higher education and leadership roles in their communities.

The program addresses a critical need in the region. According to recent data, the U.S. Hispanic population grew by 2% from 2013 to 2022, close to half of the nation’s overall population growth of 5.5%. Hispanics in 2022 represented 19.1% of the total U.S. population. Despite this growth, Hispanic students face persistent challenges, including lower college enrollment and completion rates. ( Pew Hispanic Center)

In fall 2022, the number of Hispanic students enrolled in U.S. degree-granting postsecondary institutions was 3.8 million. Twenty-one percent of U.S resident students enrolled in degree-granting institutions were Hispanic/Latino. However, according to Latin American Business and Leadership Development Initiative Director Aristides Baraya, gaps in educational attainment remain, making programs like Southeastern’s Pre-College Preparation and Leadership Program vital in addressing these disparities.

“The Fall 2024 program featured dynamic workshops on leadership, personal branding, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, STEM, artificial intelligence, and ACT preparation,” Baraya said. “Participants engaged in a rigorous schedule that blended academic instruction with real-world skill development.”

Recognizing the importance of parental involvement, Southeastern also hosted a dedicated session for parents, Baraya explained. The daylong event covered vital topics, including preventing substance abuse, online safety, understanding vaping risks, and navigating financial aid options at Southeastern.

“This impactful program was made possible through partnerships with such prominent organizations as JPMorgan Chase and Co., Shell, Miguel A. Elias – A Professional Law Corporation, Chick-Fil-a, and others,” he said. “These collaborations underscore the commitment of both the private and academic sectors to supporting the Hispanic community.”

Organized by the Office of the Latin American Business Development Initiative, Baraya said, the program exemplifies Southeastern’s dedication to supporting underserved communities and fostering a sense of belonging.

“For more than 24 years, LABDI has strengthened leadership and educational opportunities for the Hispanic population, both locally and internationally,” he said.

For more information, contact Baraya at abaraya@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-2171.