Gayle Benson honored her late husband’s memory with a gift to an Acadiana area food bank.
Benson, who took over ownership of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, has made a $3.5 million donation to Second Harvest Food Bank organization.
This donation, made through the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation, is the largest monetary donation to Second Harvest in its 37-year history, Executive Director Jay Vise said.
The gift was presented Friday, March 15, the one year anniversary of Tom Benson’s death.
Founded in 1982 by Archbishop Philip Hannan, Benson says the mission of Second Harvest is built on the words of Matthew 25:40.
“We all know we will one day explain how we lived our lives on this Earth. We live every day reminded, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Acadiana is one of 23 parishes in the state to receive the funding which makes it possible to provide more than 32 million meals a year to hungry South Louisiana residents.
Some upgrades at the 200,000 square foot facility in the Harahan area will include a new roof, climate control, expansion of office space, and an upgraded food-donation facility.