At Sempra Infrastructure, we are committed to making a positive contribution to the communities where we live and work. For more than two decades, we have been a trusted community steward in Southwest Louisiana and believe that lasting impact comes through collaboration. Working hand-in-hand with local organizations and community leaders, we strive to build stronger, more resilient communities.
In the state of Louisiana, an estimated one in six people struggle with food insecurity, and one in four children lack sufficient food in their homes. In rural Cameron Parish, where Hackberry is located, the need is even greater. About 12.1% of residents face food insecurityꟷ a rate disproportionately high for its small community.
One local organization tackling this issue is Care Help of Sulphur. With a mission to aid community members in temporary emergency situations, Care Help of Sulphur provides short-term assistance and promotes life skills for individuals.
To aid in this mission, Care Help of Sulphur operates a thriving food pantry in Sulphur, Louisiana, where they utilize a “free choice model,” meaning individuals may select their choice of a designated number of items from each available category. This model, rooted in dignity and compassion, has become a necessity for many, but executive director Jody Farnum had a vision that extended beyond the Sulphur community.
With a population of just under 900, Hackberry, Louisiana, is a small community where access to grocery stores is limited. Here, food insecurity goes beyond empty pantries ꟷ it highlights a deeper barrier to essential resources and opportunity.
Reflecting on the Hackberry community’s unique challenges, Farnum wanted to do more in the community. “One of our biggest concerns is that our students have enough to eat,” stressed Paulette Campbell, principal of Hackberry High School in Cameron Parish, in an interview with KPLC 7 News.
When the Sempra Infrastructure external affairs team met with Care Help of Sulphur, they asked the simple question: How can we bring help to the Hackberry community?
“Our team at Sempra Infrastructure met with Care Help of Sulphur and said, ‘If you had a dream project for the Hackberry community, what would it be?’ Care Help of Sulphur proposed a food pantry and our team took it and ran with it to meet those needs and make sure that nobody in the Hackberry community goes hungry,” said Selby Bush Lilley, regional vice president of external affairs and communications at Sempra Infrastructure.
That collaboration and relationship with Care Help of Sulphur quickly turned Farnum’s vision into reality, with Sempra Infrastructure providing the investment for the new food pantry located in the old Hackberry Community Center.
Care Help of Sulphur was able to purchase all necessary equipment and items needed to make the vision a reality from refrigerators and shelving units to all the food now stocked inside. In September, the Hackberry Food Pantry officially opened its doors, extending a warm welcome and much-needed food access to local residents. In its first two openings, the pantry served over 30 individuals, a powerful testament to the community’s need and the impact of coming together to address it.
The Hackberry Food Pantry project reflects Sempra Infrastructure’s broader commitment to making a meaningful impact by addressing local needs, strengthening community connections and promoting long-term solutions that build opportunities.
To further our commitment to making a meaningful impact, we invite local organizations dedicated to creating positive change to collaborate with us through our community grant, partnership and sponsorship programs. These funding opportunities support community-driven initiatives that align with our core values – do the right thing, champion people and shape the future. Learn more on our Community Giving page.