Many people call the Bayou Region home. Known as Louisiana’s Working Coast, generations grow up here, building communities, and working long hours in industries that keep the state running. But, roughly 15 percent of the Bayou Region experience food insecurity, as noted by Owner & CEO of Danos Ventures, Eric Danos.
With Louisiana constantly faced with hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters, devastation has opened the eyes to those who reside in the Bayou Region, and has shown that access to safe food and recovery can be a difficult process. Since the recent opening of Second Harvest’s Bayou Food Distribution Center in May 2025, the Bayou Distribution Center has distributed over 715,000 pounds of food, which is equivalent to nearly 600,000 meals.
Currently, with contributions from supporting partners, Second Harvest is working towards completing a 3,400-square-food commercial kitchen, which will have the capacity to prepare up to 3,000 hot meals a day. The expansion features 1,750 square feet of cold storage with custom-built coolers and freezers, solar panels, a backup generator, showers for responders, and a walk-up food pantry–all planned to help reach children, seniors, and those affected by disasters.
Danos Ventures, a family-owned investment company dedicated to building opportunities for sustainable growth in both traditional and alternative energy, is an active board member of Second Harvest, and has supported the organization with multiple grants. Chevron, a leading partner, has contributed over $3.1 million in the past two decades.
With these efforts, the partners plan to continue to work towards a community where the families and workers of the Bayou Region are supported–provided food, shelter, care, and service in times where they need it most.
To learn more about volunteering for Second Harvest Food Bank, visit no-hunger.org.