Sanderson Farms : WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN

In August, Hurricane Ida made landfall in southeastern Louisiana as a Category 4 storm. The storm was the second-most damaging and intense hurricane on record to make landfall in the state of Louisiana, ravaging the region and leaving many communities in need of food, water and other critical resources. In partnership with the New Orleans Saints, Delgado Community College's culinary arts program and the American Red Cross of Louisiana, Sanderson Farms donated chicken to prepare and distribute over 1,500 meals to Hurricane Ida victims in Louisiana.

Sparing no time, Sanderson Farms and the New Orleans Saints sprang into action by engaging with Delgado Community College's culinary arts faculty and staff and developing a hurricane relief series made possible by the donation of Sanderson Farms chicken. Beginning in October in Chauvin, Louisiana, the food distribution series focused on lending a helping hand in communities still feeling the effects of Hurricane Ida and continuing bi-weekly through the end
of November.

At each site, approximately five hundred meals, including delicious grilled chicken parmesan and chicken stew meals, were prepared for distribution to residents in need. "The faculty, staff and students of the culinary arts program at Delgado know firsthand what it feels like to be caught up in the aftermath of a disastrous hurricane, having pulled together to rebuild their program in the years following Hurricane Katrina," said Dr. Larissa Littleton-Steib, chancellor of Delgado Community College. "Putting our skills and facilities to work in service to our friends and neighbors in southeastern Louisiana communities after Hurricane Ida is something meaningful that we can do to help them."

Thanks to the culinary inspiration of the Delgado culinary arts team, the hurricane relief series was able to not only feed residents in need, but feed them quality chicken dishes with a traditional Cajun flare to help them feel right at home. "The Saints were thrilled to partner with Sanderson Farms, Delgado Community College and the American Red Cross of Louisiana to positively impact our neighboring communities following the devastation of Hurricane Ida," said New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner, Gayle Benson. "The meals that Sanderson Farms, Delgado and our Saints staff distributed specifically targeted areas hit hardest by the storm, and we hope these meals brought a sense of relief to those communities during this challenging time."

Throughout the hurricane relief series, over 1,500 meals were distributed to residents in Chauvin, St. Rose, Houma and Lafitte, Louisiana. The American Red Cross of Louisiana was an instrumental collaborator for this initiative as they helped to determine the locations in need of the most aid.

"At Sanderson Farms, when our families and neighboring communities are impacted by a crisis, it's our responsibility to provide help and support as they get back on their feet," said Joe F. Sanderson Jr., chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Sanderson Farms. "We are honored to partner with the New Orleans Saints and Delgado Community College culinary arts program to provide meals to these Louisiana communities."