RESERVE — Cars were lined up in front of the REGALA gymnasium Friday morning, windows rolled down, as volunteers handed out boxes of food donations to St. John the Baptist Parish residents in need.

More than 200 families received food through the successful partnership between the St. John Department of Health and Human Services, Second Harvest Food Bank and Barriere Construction, according to on-site participants.

David LeBreton, general superintendent of Barriere Construction, said the bulk of the crowd arrived early. While the distribution event was slated to last from 9 a.m. to noon, most of the boxes were dispersed by 10 a.m., evidencing a great local need for food services.

St. John Health and Human Services director Rhonda Lemons said food distribution is a bi-monthly service done with the support of partner agencies. Second Harvest Food Bank was a joy to work with in the most recent distribution, according to Lemons, adding that Barriere Construction reached out and offered financial support for summer 2019 distributions.

LeBreton said the fourth-generation civil construction company has been in business for 70 years. Barriere opened operations at a newly–constructed LaPlace office last year, LeBreton said, noting the location’s proximity to Baton Rouge, and New Orleans makes it a prime spot for business growth.

Barriere Construction is located on Woodland Drive, off of U.S. 51 in LaPlace. Operations include asphalt paving, structural concrete work, site development and utility work.

“It’s important for us a company,” LeBreton said. “We want to have good relations where our home office is. This is our home office for 200 people. We want people to know we are going to reach out and do our part to help the community where we reside. It went very well. I think everybody is very pleased with the outcome.”

LeBreton said next month’s event would begin earlier in the morning.

Lindsay Hendrix, associate director of corporate and foundation relations with Second Harvest Food Bank, is thankful for the support that has allowed distribution services to reach St. John Parish.

“Partnerships with community members like Barriere Construction are the foundation that makes our mission to fight hunger possible,” Hendrix said. “We’re so grateful for their year-round support of Second Harvest.”

She said Second Harvest has and will continue to work closely with St. John the Baptist Parish government.

“Governmental partner agencies like the St. John Department of Health and Human Services are instrumental in the planning and execution of these events,” Hendrix said. “Their direct services to the citizens of St. John Parish are daily and ongoing, and this distribution is a great example of the care and organizational support they provide.”

Registration and identification are required to receive food distribution services.

Other St. John Health and Human Services initiatives include low income home energy assistance, volunteer income tax assistance, community life skills, health and wellness education and disaster assistance.

For a full list of services, visit sjbparish.com/health_index.php#.

Stay tuned to the St. John the Baptist Parish Facebook page or call 985-652-9545 for more details about future distribution events.