Toups’ Family Meal started in March 2020 as a simple effort to feed our New Orleans neighbors when the world shut down. What began as a response to the pandemic has grown into a nonprofit dedicated to tackling food insecurity, especially for kids and families who need support the most.
When Louisiana initially ended the free summer lunch program, we stepped in to fill the gap. During the summer, many children miss out on the free breakfast and lunch they normally receive at school, leaving families to stretch already tight budgets. Last summer, we served over 70,500 meals to 500 kids, providing ten meals plus snacks each week throughout the summer. In total, we served more than 80,000 meals over the year, including holiday meal drives and community outreach.
We live in the best food city in the country, and yet one in three children in New Orleans lives below the poverty line. It’s not right. No child in this city should go without a good meal.
We’re excited to bring back the second annual Toups Fest, a fun-filled celebration with food, music, and community spirit. Every dollar raised helps us keep kids nourished, supported, and thriving all summer long because every child deserves a full plate and a full heart.