FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2006

Contact: Candace J. Semien
Communications Coordinator
(225)771-2242 ext. 303
www.suagcenter.com

Southwest Center to Host Holiday Food Drive

OPELOUSAS— Citizens of Acadiana are encouraged to help feed local families next week by participating in a food drive hosted by the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives.

A first for the newly developed center, the drive will be held Saturday, November 18, at the Creswell Lane Wal-Mart from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Participating is easy. Contributors are asked to donate non-perishable food items posted at the entrance of the store. Needed items include infant formula and baby food, rice, pasta, beans, and all types of canned goods. Glass containers or expired items should not be included.

Donations will benefit families throughout Acadiana who are unable to purchase food for holiday meals said Edna Lastrapes-Brown, youth agent at the Southwest Center.

"The simple effort of dropping off a bag of food provides a substantially hand in improving the quality of life for our friends who are less fortunate," said Lastrapes-Brown. "This is a wonderful opportunity to show we care about each other."

Volunteers from the Southwest Center will take all donations to a local food bank and the Office of Community Services. This holiday drive launches the Center’s annual food drive efforts.

The Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives is a satellite entity of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Its mission is to promote socioeconomic development within a 10-parish region. For more information, please contact Southern University Ag Center agents Edna Lastrapes-Brown or Ron Nicholas Jr. at (337) 943-2410.

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