Quarterly Volunteering: Culture Aid NOLA

Every quarter, our Optimists chose a nonprofit organization to volunteer for. This quarter it was Culture Aid NOLA, a New Orleans-based nonprofit organization that has been serving the city by distributing groceries since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Culture Aid NOLA was also our Non-Profit Spotlight for September.

Optimists spent the morning sorting through food that had been donated by Second Harvest Food Bank. In addition to packing bags of dry and packaged food, like canned soup, chips, juice, and coconut milk, Culture Aid NOLA also distributes fresh food like produce and yogurt. 

After all the food was packed, community members receiving the food came to the parking lot to pick up enough groceries to get them through the following week. At the end of the shift, Optimists had helped feed around 300 families. 

Culture Aid NOLA distributes groceries at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in St. Roch on Wednesdays at 6 pm, and Corpus Christi-Epiphany Catholic Church in the 7th Ward on Saturdays at 9 am. To get involved, sign up for a shift or donate on their website.