LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – The Lafayette Consolidated Government has announced a new initiative aimed at giving families struggling with hunger a traditional Thanksgiving.

LCG’s Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture Department is inviting the community to take part in the first-ever PARCsGiving, which was created to help ensure that families across Lafayette Parish can enjoy supplies for a warm Thanksgiving meal this holiday season.

PARC’s goal is to assemble at least 100 Thanksgiving meal baskets or more for local families in need. Donations are being accepted now through Nov. 20.

Community members are encouraged to donate any of the following non-perishable items to help fill the Thanksgiving meal boxes:

• Grocery store turkey vouchers ($10–$20)
• Rice (1–2 lb. bags)
• Canned green beans
• Canned corn
• Cornbread mix
• Dessert (cake mix, brownie mix, or pie filling + crust)
• Handwritten notes of encouragement (Perfect no-cost giving option for students or seniors)

Donations can be dropped off Monday thru Friday at the following locations:

• Lafayette City Hall, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Girard Park Recreation Center, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Any other recreation center, 2-9 p.m.

All meal kits will be assembled and distributed at Girard Park Recreation Center, 500 Girard Park Drive, on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Volunteers are invited to help package meal kits on Nov. 22 from 9-11 a.m. To sign up, call 337-291-8364.

Information on how families can register to receive a Thanksgiving box can be found here.

“Let’s help as many families as we can feel confident about having a Thanksgiving meal this year,” said Brian McGrath, Interim PARC Director. “PARCsGiving is all about neighbors helping neighbors — and we hope this new tradition will continue to grow for years to come.”

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