As Thanksgiving and Bayou Classic weekend kicked off on Tuesday, a Treme community giveaway drew neighbors together for food, fellowship, second-line music and a moment of relief amid the tensions of the federal operations that are descending onto the city.
The event was joyful. But it had a notable absence, the city’s Latino’s families, who have not shown up for any recent local events because of growing fears about “Swamp Sweep,” the federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Plus, people across the city are hurting financially, given recent SNAP delays and food-shelf shortages. To address that, two of the event’s organizers, Jamar McNeely of InspireNOLA Charter Schools and DeLance Vanderhorst of Healthier NOLA, said that they decided to focus their holiday assistance in a place they know well, the 6th Ward.
“Tremé has supported us—we had to come support Tremé.”
Vanderhorst said the Tremé neighborhood has poured into his business ever since he first parked along the Claiborne corridor in his bright-blue food truck painted with fresh fruit.
“Underneath the bridge on North Claiborne, we sell fresh watermelon, fruits and vegetables. Treme has supported us — so we had to support Treme,” Vanderhorst said. “When I saw the brother Jamar (McNeely) giving out turkeys and hams, I said, “Let me bring the vegetables,” he said.
Community support is crucial now, with the country’s financial cutbacks hitting families harder than ever, Vanderhorst said. “Every little bit helps.”
Giving Back to Black and Brown Families
From its earliest days, those who run InspireNOLA adopted a community focus, because the children in its charter schools cannot learn if their families are stressed or lacking basic necessities.
“There are a lot of Black and Brown families facing real struggles,” McNeely said. “If giving back can bring even a little joy or peace during the holidays, that’s what we’re here to do.”
Those needs have become particularly acute in Latino communities in recent weeks, as families have begun to stay at home, out of fear. Local groups have volunteered to go to the grocery stores for Latino families. Others are bringing groceries to neighbors.
“It’s hard to speak on what I’ve never lived.”
When asked what message he’d send to Latino neighbors too fearful to attend, Vanderhorst paused.
“I can’t pretend to know what they’re going through,” he said honestly. “I’ve never walked in their shoes.”
McNeely stepped in with his perspective: “What we can say is that we’re here to help any family in need. If you come out, we’re going to serve you with dignity and care. We want every part of our New Orleans community to feel seen and supported.”
Moving Forward Through Holiday Uncertainty
Unity over fear seemed to be the message of the day.
“No matter where you’re from or your nationality,” McNeely said, “you’re part of the city of New Orleans. If you’re in our schools, if you’re supporting our local businesses, we’re here to support you right back.”
Events like this are a reminder that the city’s strength comes from how it cares for its people, all of its people, McNeely said. “We hope families feel safety. And we want them to know: we’re here for the entire New Orleans community, every single day.”
Second row, from left: Rodrick “Scubble” Davis, Sr., King Scubble with DeLance Vanderhorst and Jamar McNeely, and members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.
Third row, from left: rapper Terius “Juvenile” Gray works with a volunteer, Orleans Parish School Board District 4 member Katrina C. Griffin. Community members. (Photo collage by Gus Bennett/The Lens)
