PROJECTS
PROJECT DRIVE-THRU
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In 2020 HGM CDC Food Pantry experienced a three month closure due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This closure caused an increased food shortage and need among an already impoverished service area. In an attempt to address the lack of services HGM CDC initiated a Drive-Thru Food Pantry. During the height of the pandemic, HGM CDC was granted the opportunity to serve families residing outside of DeSoto Parish, as many food pantries were closed due to the pandemic. However, the increased traffic, increased amount of weight of commercial vehicles delivering the food and household items and the use of participant vehicles damaged the existing concrete. In 2021, HGM CDC received funds from the Louisiana Nonprofit & Small Business Assistance Program to assist with the construction of a thicker concrete for the Drive-Thru Food pantry to accommodate the vehicle traffic and weight of delivery trucks in staging areas. In addition to concrete, an awning will be constructed to allow volunteers to load participants' vehicles as they drive through. This awning will serve as covering during inclement weather conditions, as volunteers load the trunks and beds of trucks as participants drive through.
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The HGM CDC Food Pantry Drive-Thru is complete. On September 2, 2022 we were able to provide a safe, organized delivery of food and household items on our newly constructed staging area! Food pantry participants, volunteers and staff were present as KTAL Channel 6 news provided media coverage of the event. A sturdy, solid concrete platform with an awning was made available by numerous donors and grant funding from the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Increased risk of COVID exposure, stormy weather, beaming sun, and impaired concrete will no longer be a problem. THANKS to ALL!
