Dennis and Lisa Marquette know exactly where they will be on the Fourth of July every year.
“We will be volunteering once again in the food area, serving desserts” at Feed the Multitudes in Metairie, said Dennis Marquette. “This is where our family has always been for more than 30 years.”
“It feels so good to be a part of something bigger than yourself,” Lisa Marquette added. “Those who volunteer are ordinary people doing something extraordinary to help others.”
The 35th annual Feed the Multitudes will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 4 on the grounds of Victory Church, 5708 Airline Drive. The free food festival, aimed at those in need, will include barbecue chicken, red beans and rice, snowballs, jambalaya and desserts.
“Last year, we served 3,300 plates of food,” said Chris Monnerjahn, senior associate pastor at the church. “We are planning this year to serve 4,000 plates.”
The church is partnering with other local organizations as well, Monnerjahn added, including Second Harvest Food Bank and Giving Hope NOLA, each supplying grocery items. The Salvation Army is preparing the red beans as well as offering a shuttle service to and from the event.
Cash gift cards will be disturbed to help people pay bills. And once again, Monnerjahn said, 500 pairs of shoes for children and adults will be offered.
Spa treatments, haircuts and manicures will be available, and Monnerjahn added that barbers who specialize in cutting men’s hair are especially needed.
It's no surprise that the cost of putting on the event has gone up.
“Due to inflation, the costs for this year have gone up significantly,” Monnerjahn said. “Not including donated goods, the amount is over $50,000."
It's not too late to make financial donations to help cover the costs, he added.
Senior Pastor Frank Bailey said that over the years, the church has addressed the changing needs of the community.
“From Hurricane Katrine to COVID, we try to see what people are facing and their needs,” Bailey said. “This year, there seems to be even more families trying to squeak by financially. Hopefully, the groceries and the food will offer a little relief in these difficult times.
“It’s so easy to become focused on our own problems that we become out of touch with those struggling more than us. Being put in a situation to help people … can have a powerful effect on our lives … That someone can make a difference even if they think they don’t have much to give. And this is the effect the event has on the volunteers.”
Dennis Marquette said his family simply wants to do their part to step up, help others and share the love of God.
“We have volunteered for all these years because we want to help meet the needs of people who are hurting,” he said. “You just feel so good inside when you help serve and minister to others.”
“By simply handing someone a cupcake and you see them smile at you, for me, that’s a blessing,” Lisa Marquette added.
Pickup for the event begins in New Orleans at 8:30 a.m. Here are the sites:
- The New Orleans Mission, 1130 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
- Ozanam Inn, 2239 Poydras St.
- The Salvation Army, 4526 S. Claiborne Ave.
- The New Orleans Public Library, 219 Loyola Ave.
- Lemann Playground, 628 N. Claiborne Ave.
The buses will depart the church at 2 p.m. to return visitors to these locations.
For more information, or to volunteer or donate, go to victorychurchnola.com or call (504) 733-5005.