Nicholls State University Dining Recovery After Hurricane Ida

Students learn a variety of life skills in college but reviving an entire town after a catastrophic hurricane isn’t typically one of them. Thibodaux, Louisiana, a small town of a little over 14,000 people, was devastated by Hurricane Ida. In the wake of the storm everything stopped. Literally no businesses were open and even 911 emergency calls were down. Nicholls State University is the town’s crown jewel and after the storm students were vital to the town’s comeback; but even they needed a little help from some caring, familiar friends.

Sodexo manages dining services at Nicholls and many of the men and women who operate the food services on campus have built cherished relationships with the students. Providing the much-needed fuel to keep the students going, the dining staff often sees students more than their professors.

"Before the storm hit, we were just getting started with welcoming our students back to campus for a new semester. We had a lot of exciting things planned, and when the news first started to circulate about the hurricane, we thought it would just be a minor setback. I don’t think anyone expected the level of destruction we were quickly faced with,” said Bianca Gilfour, Area Marketing Specialist, Sodexo.

After Hurricane Ida there was great uncertainty as to how life at Nicholls would go on. Virtual, or hybrid, classes became the norm as the university rolled-out a phased reopening. Crews worked diligently to get things back in order, and the university acknowledged a commitment to rebuilding and ensuring the campus would serve as a refuge for students during this difficult time. In line with the university’s commitment, Sodexo immediately went to work reinvigorating student-life.

“After Hurricane Ida, many Sodexo team members were displaced. A call went out to all Sodexo team members world-wide (over 450,000) to ask for any donations to help our teams recover. Donations started to arrive from all over the USA as well as several locations outside of the USA. Some donations were in the form of supplies and many donations were financial. It was truly amazing to see the amount of support we received from ordinary team members across the globe,” said Russell Barrios, General Manager, Sodexo.

The first big event hosted on campus was called “Jeep-or-Treat,” a collaboration between The Bayou Jeep Association and the Nicholls State Chick-fil-A. Realizing the magnitude of the devastation within the area, the Sodexo team decided to extend the event to the entire community. Sodexo sponsored free meals and face painting and over 600 children were able to enjoy a little much-needed fun. It was the first big step in a long journey.

“We felt that by putting this event on for our community, it would bring much needed joy and hope amid all the chaos,” said Gilfour.

Thibodaux is a tight-knit community so when federal aid was slow to reach its remote corners and emergency services were unavailable, neighbors relied on each other. In November, Sodexo managers and staff provided help to the community by organizing the Bayou Community Food Drive. Students were given incentives to participate, and faculty and other community members joined in to donate food, clothing, and other necessities to those in need.

“It was heartbreaking to witness the destruction that was caused by Hurricane Ida in our hometown and the surrounding area. However, it was heartwarming to witness Nicholls State University, Sodexo and Thibodaux come together as a community to provide for the needs of those who were devasted by Hurricane Ida’s path,” said Margo Badeaux, Director of Auxiliary Services, Nicholls State University.

As the holidays approached, Sodexo worked hard to bring cheer to campus and the Thibodaux community. The team hosted a St. Jude toy drive at the Nicholls State Chick-fil-A that included featured photos with Santa, ornament decorating sponsored by Smile Doctors of Houma, and other free activities for children. Chick-fil-A even kicked in a free sandwich for those who donated toys to Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital in Baton Rouge. Sodexo team members also chipped-in to adopt families in need. For those looking to clear their minds of the holiday hustle and bustle, an “ugly sweater” yoga session coordinated by Sodexo did just the trick.

"Yoga was a great way to relieve some stress during rough times,” said Christian Downing, Nicholls State University student.

Thanks to the Nicholls State University students, and the broader community, Thibodaux is beginning to come alive again, and the future looks bright. Despite the challenges created by Ida, and the still looming effects of the COVID pandemic, there are plans for growth and progression at the university. Sodexo plans to expand its offerings this Spring to include wellness events such as yoga and meditation, festive communal celebrations, themed dinners and more. There’s also lots of buzz around a new Pizza Hut location that Sodexo is bringing to campus this year. For students, faculty and staff at Nicholls, the Fall 2021 semester taught a lot of life lessons. For the community of Thibodaux, life on campus this Spring will help to bring things back to normal.

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