BHP Billiton has come to the financial aid of some local organizations in the last 90 days by pledging funding of around a million dollars. 

The Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana announced a three-year investment Sept. 4 from BHP totaling $150,000 to support the backpack and senior programs. That announcement came as part of Hunger Action Month. The company unveiled a three year, $300,000 gift Sept. 12 to reconfigure a “more functional and technology friendly” library and learning center at the campus of Bossier Parish Community College. The Endowment for the Humanities announced a commitment from BHP for $540,000 over three years to support its PRIME TIME Preschool program. The program serves more than 2,500 children and their parents in seven parishes – $190,000 of the funding directly benefits Northwest Louisiana, according to a news release from BHP Billiton. Earlier this year, in support of youth and families in Northwest Louisiana, BHP Billiton made a $10.7 million donation to the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana for the development of the YMCA Red River Fitness and Natural Sciences Campus to be located near Clyde Fant Parkway and East Preston Avenue.

Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, BHP Billiton is one of the largest producers of iron ore, oil and gas, coal and copper. It has operations in 130 locations in 21 countries.

“[BHP Billiton’s] donation will provide 225 food-insecure children with food on the weekend for each school year and 1,200 seniors with food each month,” Northwest Louisiana Food Bank Executive Director Martha Marak said.

Geraldine Slattery is general manager of BHP Billiton’s production units in the Haynesville and Fayetteville Shale plays. 

She said, in announcing the donation to the food bank, “Key to this region’s sustainability is confronting hunger, particularly among children and the elderly. Hunger, in turn, is linked to other community issues, such as education and poverty.”

BPCC Chancellor Dr. Jim Henderson said, “[The money] will dramatically enhance the student learning experience on our campus. As we continue to create and grow programs aligned with the needs of employers in this regional economy, investments from world-class companies like BHP Billiton will ensure we produce world-class graduates.”

According to BPCC’s division of learning resources, a correlation exists between students’ use of the library’s learning center – a computer-based tutorial lab serving approximately 640 BPCC students per day – and their academic success. The reworking of the facility will offer students expanded accessibility to the technology-based learning environment in the center.

“Funding the BPCC Learning Commons project aligns with our community vision and allows us to work in tandem with the state’s education system for an immediate and direct impact for this generation of students and the next,” Slattery said.

The library/learning commons plan will redesign the first- and second-floor space to focus on technology with access to updated computers and wireless networking. There will be a new scan-and-print station to provide printing, copying, scanning and faxing services. The second floor will be set up for a quiet, private study space for students. Computers and kiosks will be placed amidst the shelving for easier access for student’s research. The second-floor design adds study rooms and tutorial areas to the learning center. Dual-person computer stations will be included to make it easier for tutors to work privately with students on assignments.

Miranda Restovic, LEH interim president and executive director, said, “Approximately 100 PRIME TIME Preschool programs will be implemented at 19 different sites across these [seven] parishes, including early childhood centers, Head Start facilities and diverse public and charter schools serving preschoolers. Developed and implemented by the LEH since 2010, PRIME TIME Preschool is an outcomes-based early literacy program designed to enhance long-term, life quality outcomes for 3-5-year-old children and their families.”

According to BHP Billiton’s fiscal year annual report, the company invests one percent of its pre-tax profit to community programs that aim to have a long-term positive impact and improved quality of life. That amount is calculated on an average of the previous three years’ pre-tax profits. In its fiscal year 2014, BHP reported voluntary community investments of $241.7 million, comprised of cash, in-kind support and administrative costs, and a $100 million contribution to the BHP Billiton Foundation.