McNeese Alumni Association to host food drive for Poke Pantry Saturday

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - There are plenty of ways to give back during the holidays, and one of them is as easy as just driving through.

“So Saturday, we’re having our first food drive, and it is thanks in part to the Alumni Association, who was very generous in hosting this event for us. Their board unanimously agreed that this was something that they wanted to do for the students at McNeese,” said Amy Veuleman, assistant professor at McNeese and chair of the Liberal Arts Food Pantry.

In 2023, the idea for a collection of food pantries at McNeese was brought to the table, and in 2024, it came to life.

“Originally, the Poke Pantry was funded through a grant, and I understand that those funds, you know, are reaching the end, so that’s why there’s a need to stock those shelves back up,”