Don't want to sound ungrateful, but this place is horrible. I went looking for help during my time…read moreof need and was given molded and expired food. When I called to speak to someone about it, they directed me to their New Orleans East location for a replacement box. It was full of expired foods. The food that wasn't expired was junk - cookies, snickers, and chips - nothing to make a meal or feed my family.

Giving Hope is a New Orleans, Louisiana nonprofit dedicated to changing lives through love. Their…read moremission is simple: To give glory to God and to promote human dignity. Through the tireless efforts of their staff, volunteers, and partners, they feed, clothe, house, and provide fellowship to those in need in our community and around the world. I had a free Monday so I decided to volunteer my time for a great cause. I was told people have to register to come pick up but only once a month per household.

Great community center hosting organizations and nonprofits. It has a lovely garden and is next to…read morea playground. There's a really nice shaded fitness center next to it too. There is a parking lot attached to it. The organization I'm familiar with is Friends if Lafitte Greenway that has their office here.

My cousin introduced me to the WePlayCenter, and I'm absolutely thrilled with what it offers. It…read morefocuses on sensory stimulation, tummy time (which we adore!), social interaction, language development, and fine motor skills. As a first-time mom, I find it invaluable to learn how to incorporate age-appropriate toys, music, gentle exercises, and activities that foster exploration and cognitive growth in my baby. The child development staff are highly trained professionals who nurture the growth and development of each child in their care. They create a supportive environment that fosters the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of the children while supporting moms. One unexpected perk is the chance to connect with other moms and their little ones! The WePlayCenter creates an environment where we can interact, building social skills and relationships. Though we've only attended a few sessions, it's been wonderful to meet other moms who are going through similar experiences, and exchanging advice and stories. I'm a visual learner, so observing different parenting styles, developmental milestones, and gaining fresh insights into child-rearing has been incredibly helpful! I almost forgot to mention it's absolutely FREE?!

First let me shoutout these staff members for providing a great summer break for my toddler:…read more Ms. Lisa Ms. Bridgette Mr. Garrick Ms. Arrian Ms. Daniela Ms. Lashonda I want to shoutout the amazing team at weplay. My once shy and quiet daughter came into weplay in June of 2025 and have blossomed so much and I know that each of you played a key role in it. We both feel heard, loved and educated while we are at weplay. You all deserve all the praise. Each day, each location has truly helped my daughter come out of her shell and have the opportunity to learn through play. Please continue doing what you are doing because it may not seem like it but you are setting the perfect foundation for young toddlers that are learning about the world around them. If you have a child under the age of 5 you must try WEPlay at least once and you will become hooked. It's truly welcoming and allows your child to explore and learn and interact with other kids FOR FREE!! Thank you!

St Jude offers social services for those in need. They also provide free meals to the homeless…read moreevery Saturday morning. Their busiest weekend is the 2nd Saturday of each month when they get over 100 people coming in for a meal. Father Tony is a very generous and caring individual. He is down-to-earth as well as funny. He welcomes anyone to come in to volunteer whether daily or monthly. This is a great place to volunteer if you are looking for something to do on the weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed myself when I helped serve meals a few weeks ago.

Love volunteering here. Great organization, great people, very rewarding helping people who need it.read more

Our son has been in a group home here for over 10 years..... he has learned how to be more…read moreindependent and staff in all departments have been solicitous for him and he feels safe. He is about to come home for a number of days also which he enjoys but returns happy also to his home at Magnolia

My son has been here for several years. I volunteered there for a couple of years. The staff is…read moregreat, very caring and empathetic. The Ex Director is great. They have good outings for clients.

This place is very hit and miss, with prices that are also sometimes unreasonable, sometimes a…read moresteal. I priced out a few garden supplies only to find they were the same exact price as Lowe's right down the street. New or not, the items are not returnable so naturally I would choose the Lowe's option. I visit this store probably every 90 days and will find that a huge amount of items have been sitting at the same price tag for six months or more. Most of the larger furniture they take in is not in the best shape and priced over $150.00. This includes couches that have been torn up by cats and stained up. Still, I visit waiting for the occasional item that is just mysteriously priced very low. Be aware that they sometimes do have % off specials - but there's only one whiteboard at the front of the store by the cashier that indicates this.

Great spot to stop in for upcycling doors, windows, cabinets, shutters. Etc. As well as random…read morebrand new items like water filters, light fixtures, and bird houses. You never know what builder has dropped off overstock. So always worth a peek.

This local free little pantry gets a lot traffic servicing families in our surrounding…read moreneighborhoods who might need an extra hand now and then or to supplement their food sources. We donate to it quite regularly, especially the last week of the month when families are struggling to keep tummies full. We always make sure we include fun stuff and treats not just the regular stuff. You raise yourself when your brother is lifted first.

We all want to give back to our community, but a lot of times we don't know where to start. Enter…read morethe Algiers Point Lil Free Pantry. When I first read about this unique little box in the paper, I was excited about the idea and I knew I had to check it out for myself. Located in the Community Garden in Algiers Point, this little box of blessings works in the same way a Lil Free Library does: you put in what you can and you take out what you need. It's meant to serve those in the community who might be having a tough time and may need some extras to eat or even basic toiletries. I headed out to the box and I was happy to add some cans of chicken noodle soup, baked beans and yams. I've made a commitment to add to the box weekly, to make sure that the pantry stays full. The box was started and is maintained by Becky Hicks who makes daily donations to the box. This is such an easy way to help others and do a little "feel good" type of thing. This is the first box of it's kind in New Orleans, but I'm hoping that the idea takes off because it's a simple way to take care of others in the community. Join the movement: https://www.facebook.com/groups/254333225017443/

I had the honor of volunteering with New Orleans Mission while I was in town. This place does a…read morewonderful service for the city. The group I was with had set up our volunteer project beforehand. It's not that lengthy of a process to do. We showed up and were taken to where we were going to volunteer and we were on our way. Our mission was to help feed the people that came in for a meal. They had this down to a science, it moved so smoothly that it felt like a video game almost. Everything was done so efficiently that it was over so quickly that it felt like we were only there as decoration. I'm not complaining, they have been doing this longer than any of us that came to volunteer. After we were done with clean up we were give a tour of the building. We also had a sit down meeting where we were explained everything that they offer to the community. This is just one site that they oversee. Like I said, it was an honor.

My experience with the New Orleans Mission was very disappointing and concerning. I went there…read moreexpecting to receive help during a difficult time, but I felt that the main option being pushed was becoming a "disciple." When I said I did not want to become a disciple, I was told I could only stay for two days. What concerned me even more was what I was told about the disciple program. Once you agree to become a disciple, you are required to turn in your phone and other electronics. You are also unable to freely leave, and there are restrictions that can affect your ability to work or have your children attend school. I was also told that disciples are sent to Lynhaven in Hammond. I was told that participants could not keep things like their credit cards, phones, or other personal belongings. From my perspective, having your communication devices and access to the outside world restricted felt extremely controlling. It did not feel like the type of support I expected from a mission that is supposed to help people who are already vulnerable. I understand that programs can have rules and structure, but people seeking shelter and assistance should be given clear information about those rules and should feel respected and safe. Based on what I experienced and was told, I personally felt uncomfortable with the program and the level of control involved. It felt more like a cult-like environment to me than the supportive assistance I was looking for. I hope the New Orleans Mission takes concerns like these seriously and considers how these policies affect people who come there seeking help.