The northeast Louisiana chapter of Quota International helps to support and provide for the underserved and hearing impaired throughout the region. The nearly 100-year-old volunteer organization focuses on the needs of disadvantaged women, children, and elderly people.
The “Night of the Cakes,” the chapter's only annual fundraiser, is Tuesday, March 8th. Jennifer Bass says the group focuses especially on underserved children with hearing disabilities.
“We have found that children on Medicaid will only receive one hearing aid from Medicaid as they need one. Now, as children grow, their ears grow as well. So then their hearing aids don’t fit anymore, but when they are replaced, Medicaid only pays for one of them,” says Bass.
The Quota Club has purchased hearing aids for several children this past year, and hopes to expand that reach. The club also partners with the food bank to help with the backpack program.
“The program provides backpacks for children who are really getting the majority of their nourishment from the school lunch program,” Bass explains. “They are given a backpack on Friday afternoon when they go home. It looks just like any other backpack so it doesn’t single them out from any other children, and that backpack is filled with non-perishable food items to provide them with nourishment throughout the weekend.”
The event features many different kinds of cakes for sale, and 6 “specialty” cakes which feature lagniappe such as spa packages, free admission to zoo events, and many other treats for men, women and children. Emceeing the event is Mark Finn from First Baptist Church in West Monroe. Self-proclaimed “America’s Minister of Encouragement” Dr. Dennis Swanberg is also speaking at the event.
To purchase tickets or find out more information about the event call 318-343-1626 or e-mail margiefrenchnixon@gmail.com.
