LAPLACE — More than 120 people showed up at New Foundation for Life Full Gospel Baptist Church Wednesday when the church hosted a food pantry giveaway.

Located at 1061 Cambridge Drive in LaPlace, the church has served for nearly a year as a feeder location for Second Harvest, receiving 6,000 pounds of food on the first and third Wednesday of the month to give to those in need.

Last week’s devastating tornado created more demand for the church’s efforts, which routinely include more than 200 clients, according to the Rev. Burnell Dent.

Thankfully, the pastor said, there are many in the community supporting the mission.

The most recent is Leroi Jackson, owner of The Taxman Financial Services on U.S. 51 in LaPlace, who donated $10,000 to the cause Thursday afternoon.

“Some of my clients have been affected by the tornado,” Jackson said. “This was just my way of giving back and showing them that I am committed to helping them. I started my business here before the one I have in New Orleans. I have a lot of personal connections with the people here, because I’ve been dealing with them for so long.”

Jackson said he chose to bless New Foundation because of its location in the Cambridge area, amongst those impacted by Feb. 23’s devastating tornado.

“We directly service the community, and I get business from the community,” Jackson said. “I want to show my appreciation towards them and thank them for choosing Taxman.”

Dent said he was thrilled when he got the call about the donation, adding the money helps cover some of the expenses that go into operating a food pantry.

“We started last April, so it’s coming up on a year,” Dent said. “We’ve really exploded with our food pantry. We have well over 200 clients. On Wednesday we did a distribution and had 124 clients come.”

Each client represents a family, Dent said, adding the church is able to help hundreds of people twice a month.

To receive assistance, residents must fill out an application, which is available at the church. Acceptance is based on income and if someone is receiving assistance from the state or federal government. Those impacted by the tornado do not need fill out an application.

“There are special stipulations,” Dent said. “(Second Harvest) gave us some emergency care boxes for those who were affected. They can just come and get assistance.”

The pastor said helping those in the community that need food fulfills the church’s mission and the assignment God gave him.

“It feels great because that which you do for others, God said you’re doing it unto him,” Dent said.