Startup St. Bernard organizers have announced that they are postponing the live pitch competition that had been scheduled for later this month. The news comes on the heels of the proclamation made by Governor John Bel Edwards that halts any gathering of more than 250 people and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that no gatherings with 50 people or more take place for the next eight weeks to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Startup St. Bernard organizers, the Meraux Foundation and St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation, announced the three finalists selected to compete in the $100,000 business competition: CORE: Louisiana Counseling & Recovery Center, LLC, Green Street, and Jessie. The 6th annual Startup St. Bernard competition is being held on Monday, March 23, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Meraux Foundation’s Docville Farm (5128 E. St. Bernard Highway, Violet, La.).

The Meraux Foundation, the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL), St. Bernard Parish Government, and Two C’s Enterprises, Inc. have partnered to bring oyster shell recycling to St. Bernard Parish. It will officially launch at this weekend’s Los Isleños Fiesta, where bins will be placed to collect shells to be used in coastal restoration projects.

The St. Bernard Parish Tourism Commission recognized the Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation with the 2020 Friend of Tourism Award this week for the outstanding contributions the Meraux Foundation has made to supporting tourism over many years. The Friend of Tourism Award recognizes a business, person, or group of people who have contributed to efforts to promote tourism in St. Bernard Parish.

Chalmette High School and Nunez Community College each accepted $4,945 at a check presentation held at Chalmette High School on Friday, November 22, 2019 from Cook-Off for the Coast, a culinary experience and community event held to raise awareness and support coastal restoration efforts.

The Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation is the presenting sponsor of the 3rd annual Bayou Road Balloon Festival set for Nov. 1-3 at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center (8245 W Judge Perez Dr, Chalmette, LA 70043).

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) selected Rita Gue, the president of the Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation, as this year’s recipient of its Institutional Leadership Award for her work to improve the economy and quality of life in St. Bernard Parish. She was honored at a ceremony that gathered economic development leaders from around the world during IEDC’s 2019 Annual Conference in Indianapolis, Ind. on Oct. 14.

The Meraux Foundation continues its support for Southeast Louisiana Legal Services to help the organization advance its mission to “achieve justice for low-income people in Louisiana by enforcing and defending their legal rights through civil legal aid, advocacy, and community education.” SLLS provides free, civil legal aid to low-income people in six offices, across 22 parishes throughout southeast Louisiana.

Not since 1973 had the Bonnet Carre Spillway remained open for as many days as it has in 2019. Eclipsing the old mark of 76 days this year, a visit to the huge flood diversion was one of the more powerful moments of this year’s Mississippi River Delta Institute.

The Meraux Foundation announced a sponsorship to the Louisiana State Troopers Association’s Troop B affiliate (LSTA) following a ceremony on Friday.

WYES presented the “Presidents Award” to the Meraux Foundation in recognition of the nonprofit’s support of the station’s coverage of the New Orleans tricentennial celebration.

Recent floods at the 40 Arpent Wetland Observatory had inundated the entire grounds with two feet of water, leaving invasive water-hyacinth littered across the area. Parish Government was able to clean up a substantial part of the damage, and the Meraux Foundation stepped up to bring in volunteers to assist with the job and even give a helping hand to nature by planting pollinators and other helpful native flora.

For the sixth year, the Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation hosted AgMagic on the River at Docville Farm in Violet on May 7th through the 11th. Produced by the LSU AgCenter in collaboration with the Meraux Foundation, LA SeaGrant, and 4-H, the annual educational event takes visitors on an interactive journey that links Louisiana’s agriculture and environment with people’s everyday lives.

The Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation awarded 60 scholarships to St. Bernard Parish 2019 high school graduates at a ceremony last week.

Schmelly’s Dirt Farm took home the grand prize at the 5th annual Startup St. Bernard presented by the Meraux Foundation and St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation.