Alidore residents attend drive-thru community forum

Fatal house fire prompts safe heating tips from State Fire Marshal
February 13, 2021
James Daigle
February 13, 2021
Fatal house fire prompts safe heating tips from State Fire Marshal
February 13, 2021
James Daigle
February 13, 2021

Residents of the Alidore area of Raceland participated in a drive-thru forum Feb. 10 where they answered questions about the health of the community and how they think it can be improved.

“Every community is unique and has their own set of needs. Therefore, it is important that the community feels they have a voice,” said Nicole Ditch, director of community services for Lafourche Parish Government. “We are here to help them advocate for change that will enhance the lives of all members of this community.”


In typical Louisiana fashion, the drive-thru forum offered grab-and-go food plates and a king cake giveaway. As a COVID-19 safety measure, residents completed the forum survey in their cars.

Nicole Ditch, director of community services for Lafourche Parish Government, collects survey responses from Alidore community members. Photo by Heather Benoit/Beyond the Bell

 

“We want to be able to meet the needs of the residents of Alidore,” said Amanda Gibson, LSU AgCenter nutrition agent. “Health can be perceived differently depending on where you live. The forum will help to define what health means in the community and uncover what they need to get there.”

“Our goal for the new year is to reach as many citizens of the Alidore community as we can,” said Heather Benoit, director of the Wallace Community Center. “There are resources out there that many do not know how to access due to lack of involvement. This is our chance to get them involved and to be proactive. Informing the community and showing them that they aren’t forgotten is a path to truly showing them that we care.”


The community forum was hosted by the LSU AgCenter SNAP-Ed and Healthy Communities programs, Beyond the Bell, Lafourche Community Services and Lafourche Community Action. Food was generously provided by Ochsner St. Anne Hospital.

If you have questions about the forum, contact Gibson at agibson@agcenter.lsu.edu or 985-446-1316.