Brought To You By Rapides Parish School Board; Written by Mary Helen Downey
A spirit of giving filled the Rapides Parish Coliseum last weekend as teams of volunteers came together to distribute Thanksgiving meals to families throughout the parish. The collaborative effort, organized by the Office of the Governor alongside the Rapides Parish School Board and Walmart, brought holiday cheer to 600 local families.
The event showcased how community partnerships can make a meaningful difference. Multiple Walmart locations across Louisiana pooled resources specifically to support Rapides Parish residents. The Alexandria Fire Department handled logistics and JROTC cadets from three local schools — Alexandria Senior High School, Bolton Academy, and Peabody Magnet High School — gave their time to help families receive their meals. In the hours before distribution began, the Pineville High School football team transferred turkeys into freezer trucks at the Coliseum.
“Today’s event represents what we can accomplish when government, business, education, and community organizations work together with a shared purpose,” said Superintendent Jeff Powell. “The generosity shown by our partners will ensure that hundreds of families can gather around their tables this Thanksgiving with a full meal.”
The successful distribution relied on contributions from numerous partners, including the Alexandria Police Department, RLC Trucking, Petron, and Rental Gallery, along with Walmart employees and managers from around the state.
For the families who received meals, the event offered more than just food — it demonstrated that their community stands ready to support them during the holiday season.
