LAKE CHARLES, La. – Some families in Lake Charles have the food they need tonight thanks to a drive-thru grocery giveaway.
United Way of Southwest Louisiana, in partnership will various local non-profits, distributed fresh grocery items, peanut butter and pet food during the giveaway at the Lake Charles Civic Center.
"I continue to be amazed at the opportunities we are able to take advantage of each day in order to help our community rebuild and this grocery and pet distribution is one of them," explains Denise Durel, president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Louisiana. "We were offered peanut butter from one partner and pet food by another. It is a blessing to be able to pull all of these together and help community members get back on their feet while we rebuild together."
Kiwanis Club of Lake Charles provided peanut butter and volunteers for the first-come, first-serve drive-thru distribution. Second Harvest Food Bank provided grocery items. Greater Good and Houston Humane Society provided pet food.
Joel Davidson with the Kiwanis Club of Lake Charles said the event meant a lot to those still recovering from the difficult events of 2020.
"It's been very, very meaningful. Everybody's been so appreciative of the people coming through. It's been a long haul, after two hurricanes and a freeze and the rebuilding process," said Davidson. "And people are still rebuilding."
"We also provide pet treats and toys, so they're getting the whole works today," added Angelina Saucedo, Marketing Manager for the Houston Humane Society. "We want to make sure that families are not having to feed their animals food from the table. Feeding their pets nutritious and healthy food is important."
Durel added that the giveaway was a great opportunity for all of the volunteers who participated to impact their community.
"These people, they trust us and they show up and wrap around the Civic Center and just wait their turn," she explained. "They're again so grateful and thankful that we're here doing this so really it is very heartwarming to know that we can help our community in this way."
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