Two chefs Nealy and Keith Frentz, both of LOLA Restaurant in Covington, each donated $1,000 to local food charities and presented their checks at the first Rockin’ the Rails concert Wednesday night at the Covington Trailhead.

The two chefs were among five “2009 Chefs to Watch” that received awards from the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, the only two chefs on the Northshore to do so. They each were awarded $1,000, and they decided to give the money to charity.

Keith’s charity was the Food Bank of Covington that services people in St. Tammany, Washington and Tangipahoa Parish. The organization provides groceries to about 2,000 people a month in the three-parish area. Sam and Jackie Catalanotto, who run the food bank, accepted the donation. Jackie said that earlier in the week, volunteers were sent home because there was not enough work. Lately, the food bank has seen its shelves go bare, as donations of cash and food have slowed. The volunteers put together packages of food to hand out to those are in need. Jackie Catalanotto said the donation would go a long way to providing food for those who need it. Jackie also reminded people that the Food Bank is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays to accept donations of food or cash, both of which are critically needed.

Nealy Frentz donated her funds to the St. Tammany Parish Hospital Meals at Home program. Melissa Hodgson, spokesperson of the hospital, said the program delivers nutritionally balanced meals to those people at home who cannot get them.

The meals are delivered daily from Monday through Friday or as often as the person wishes and cost $4 per meal, the cost of the food in the meal. Hodgson said the meals also conform to the dietary needs of the clients, including low salt, diabetic or other special medical diets.

Tedi Badon, head of the Meals at Home program, said that volunteers are always needed to deliver the meals and interested parties can call her at 898-4008 for more information. The donation made by Frentz will pay for about 250 meals.