05/08/2024
The Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation announced that it has awarded more than 30 donations, totaling over $150,000, in its most recent round of giving. The grants support nonprofits with proven track records of success in areas that align with the family foundation's mission and program areas, including education, environment, and community resilience.
“We are proud to empower these partners and the work they do in our community,” said Rita Gue, President of the Meraux Foundation. “We invest in nonprofits that embrace and advance our shared mission to improve the quality of life in St. Bernard Parish. Working together is a force multiplier.”
One of the Meraux Foundation's major grant recipients is the Community Center of St. Bernard, which received donations totaling $30,000 this round. The funds will help keep its food pantry stocked and support its "Backpack" program that sends food home with students for over the weekend.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the Meraux Foundation’s continued support,” said Jamie Richardson, Executive Director of the Community Center. “Their funding ensures people in our community don’t go hungry, especially children who don’t have school lunch on weekends.”
The Meraux Foundation also provided significant support through a $20,000 sponsorship of the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation to support its efforts to retain and create jobs, build prosperity, and improve the quality of life for St. Bernard citizens.
To protect and preserve the environment, a main area of its focus, the Foundation donated to the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts and sponsored the recent National Association of Conservation Districts' 77th annual meeting held in New Orleans. In conjunction with the event, the Meraux Foundation hosted conservationists from across the country at Docville Farm, its home campus in Violet, Louisiana. There, Coastal and Environmental Program Manager Blaise Pezold presented Louisiana’s unique challenges and innovative solutions that could be replicated in other areas. The Meraux Foundation also granted $12,000 to the NOLA Tree Project to support the giveaway of 500 trees to be planted by parish residents.
The Foundation provided major contributions to the LSU AgCenter to meet commitments made for its Livestock Show, the Center for Louisiana Citrus Innovation and Research, and funding for a local Ag agent – as well as contributions to the St. Bernard Parish 4-H Foundation.
It further awarded $10,000 to the Greater New Orleans Foundation to support its charitable work in St. Bernard and surrounding areas, such as its aid program for Arabi residents impacted by last year’s tornadoes. The Meraux Foundation also awarded $10,000 to the Friends of the Battle of New Orleans to support its educational and promotional activities and $10,000 to the Los Isleños Museum Heritage and Cultural Society to aid in its commitment to preserving, interpreting, and promoting the way of life of Canary Islanders who settled in St. Bernard Parish in the late 1700s.
The Meraux Foundation further supported culture and tourism by sponsoring the Louisiana Crawfish Festival, taking place March 23 - 26 at the Frederick Sigur Civic Center and the St. Bernard Sports Hall of Fame, which is renaming its major award “The Meraux Foundation Special Olympics Athlete of the Year Award.”
Likewise, to support local culture, the Foundation also funded the Southern Food and Beverage Museum Foundation to provide free cookbook-writing classes. The four-week series starts April 15 at the SoFAB Research center. Participants will have access to over 40,000 books, 5,000 menus, and thousands of culinary pamphlets for inspiration and guidance. Those interested can signup at southernfood.org.
It also donated to the Voices Foundation to present the Lenten class series "I know I have something Wednesday." It will include classes led by local artists for a range of activities, from yoga to wreath making to karaoke. Sign up by contacting Barry Lemoine at [email protected] or 504-301-8770.
The Meraux Foundation continues to invest in education, including a St. Bernard Parish Public Schools teacher preparation program and donations to the School Board's 2022 Day of Reflection, Raphael Village, Chalmette High School Band, and Nunez Community College Foundation.
Other donation recipients include the St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce, Family Violence Program Of St. Bernard, Zeitgeist Theatre & Lounge, Prescription Joy, St. Bernard Parish Government, the Spirit of St. Bernard Foundation, St. Bernard Volunteers for Family and Community, Compassionate Friends, St. Bernard Parish Reserve Deputy Fund, Arc of Greater New Orleans, and Antenna.
Read the announcement here: https://www.merauxfoundation.org/news-1/meraux-foundation-announces-grants-to-support-education-environment-and-quality-of-life-in-st-bernard-parish
