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| Directions l American Farm Bureau l Farm Bureau Bank l Privacy Policy l Contact Us l Help l Site Map |
The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture
Welcome to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
| Directions l American Farm Bureau l Farm Bureau Bank l Privacy Policy l Contact Us l Help l Site Map |
Welcome to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
Welcome to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture
Gumbo, Giving Spirit Highlight
National Farm City Week
By BILL SHERMAN
FB News Staff Writer
SHREVEPORT -- Serving bowls of hot chicken and sausage gumbo to
residents of Shreveport’s Providence House was just one facet of last week’s
kick-off event marking National Farm City Week.
The celebration marks the time of year
when farm groups and others in
agriculture reach out to their city
counterparts to emphasize the
importance of farming. This year’s
celebration runs from Nov. 16 through 23.
The program dates back to 1955.
The donations and meal were highlighted
by hands-on workshops which introduced
children and parents of Providence House
to the role agriculture plays in their daily lives.
“Following our workshop we wanted to serve
up home-made gumbo,” said Bonnie Pace,
Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee
third vice president. “It’s much easier to talk
about the importance and relevance of
agriculture when everyone has a full stomach.”
Last week, a full week before National Farm
City Week began, about a dozen members
of the Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Committee donated a
home-cooked meal, supplies, toiletries and monetary support to the
Shreveport-based charity. The Providence House is a long-term residential
home for single parents looking to improve their lives in a secure living
environment as they try to become self-sufficient and independent. The
house was founded in 1982 and has been a model for long-term resident
homes providing assistance to single parents and their children.
Sam Wilkes, a grant writer and special projects
manager for the Providence House, said
donations and resources from groups like the
Louisiana Farm Bureau make the Providence
House doors open.
“We accommodate 75 single mothers and fathers
here at the house and we couldn’t provide for
our residents if it wasn’t for the charitable
donations from people, churches and
organizations like the Farm Bureau,” Wilkes said.
“These are the kinds of organizations that make
a difference in the lives of our families.”
Louisiana Farm Bureau Women’s Committee
Chair Denise Hymel said her organization has
a history of donations to groups like Providence
House. Following Hurricane Katrina the group
donated similar products and services to Grace
Harbor Ministries, as well as annual donations
to the state’s two Ronald McDonald House
charities.
“We found the Providence House to be a perfect fit,” Hymel said. “It was an
opportunity to teach the children about where their food and fiber come from.
We also got to spend time with both the children and the parents over a
home-cooked meal.”
Pace, who helped organize the Northeast Louisiana donation, said the
message went beyond the dinner plate.
“The entire experience of seeing these single parents locate and maintain
jobs, study for their GED and learn how to nurture their children is truly
heartwarming,” she said. “To see the smiles on their faces, particularly as we
go into the holidays, is what Farm Bureau is all about.”
National Farm City Week
By BILL SHERMAN
FB News Staff Writer
SHREVEPORT -- Serving bowls of hot chicken and sausage gumbo to
residents of Shreveport’s Providence House was just one facet of last week’s
kick-off event marking National Farm City Week.
The celebration marks the time of year
when farm groups and others in
agriculture reach out to their city
counterparts to emphasize the
importance of farming. This year’s
celebration runs from Nov. 16 through 23.
The program dates back to 1955.
The donations and meal were highlighted
by hands-on workshops which introduced
children and parents of Providence House
to the role agriculture plays in their daily lives.
“Following our workshop we wanted to serve
up home-made gumbo,” said Bonnie Pace,
Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee
third vice president. “It’s much easier to talk
about the importance and relevance of
agriculture when everyone has a full stomach.”
Last week, a full week before National Farm
City Week began, about a dozen members
of the Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Committee donated a
home-cooked meal, supplies, toiletries and monetary support to the
Shreveport-based charity. The Providence House is a long-term residential
home for single parents looking to improve their lives in a secure living
environment as they try to become self-sufficient and independent. The
house was founded in 1982 and has been a model for long-term resident
homes providing assistance to single parents and their children.
Sam Wilkes, a grant writer and special projects
manager for the Providence House, said
donations and resources from groups like the
Louisiana Farm Bureau make the Providence
House doors open.
“We accommodate 75 single mothers and fathers
here at the house and we couldn’t provide for
our residents if it wasn’t for the charitable
donations from people, churches and
organizations like the Farm Bureau,” Wilkes said.
“These are the kinds of organizations that make
a difference in the lives of our families.”
Louisiana Farm Bureau Women’s Committee
Chair Denise Hymel said her organization has
a history of donations to groups like Providence
House. Following Hurricane Katrina the group
donated similar products and services to Grace
Harbor Ministries, as well as annual donations
to the state’s two Ronald McDonald House
charities.
“We found the Providence House to be a perfect fit,” Hymel said. “It was an
opportunity to teach the children about where their food and fiber come from.
We also got to spend time with both the children and the parents over a
home-cooked meal.”
Pace, who helped organize the Northeast Louisiana donation, said the
message went beyond the dinner plate.
“The entire experience of seeing these single parents locate and maintain
jobs, study for their GED and learn how to nurture their children is truly
heartwarming,” she said. “To see the smiles on their faces, particularly as we
go into the holidays, is what Farm Bureau is all about.”
SINCERE THANKS. Denise Hymel, left, and Bonnie Pace, right, listen to
Sam Wilkes, of The Providence House. The Farm Bureau Women's
Leadership Committee donated food, dry goods and money to the
organization during the National Farm City Week celebration.
Sam Wilkes, of The Providence House. The Farm Bureau Women's
Leadership Committee donated food, dry goods and money to the
organization during the National Farm City Week celebration.
FB NEWS STAFF PHOTO BY JULIE BAKER
FB NEWS STAFF PHOTO BY JULIE BAKER
GOOD GUMBO. One of The Providence House’s younger
residents dines on homemade gumbo provided by the
Farm Bureau’s Women’s Committee.
residents dines on homemade gumbo provided by the
Farm Bureau’s Women’s Committee.