LAFAYETTE PARISH (LAFAYETTE) — With food pantries stretched thin and grocery prices still climbing, local families found a way to help one another Sunday at the Children’s Museum of Acadiana’s annual fall food drive.
The museum offered one free admission for every four nonperishable items donated between 9 a.m. and noon — a trade-off designed to ease pressure on households while teaching children the value of community support.
“It’s important that we produce programming that aligns with our mission — learning by doing,” executive director Lore Linton said. “It allows children to have an understanding of what giving back means, and then they still get to play.”
Linton said the need this year felt greater than usual.
“Although we do this annually, we know there was a heightened sense of need this year,” Linton said. “There was a lot of pressure on families — worry, fear — and we see that and understand it.”
Just a few blocks away, the Benson family — a household of five — said they came to donate because they know firsthand how tough this season can be for parents.
“All of our kids go to school here, we all live here,” said Hannah Benson, a mother of three. “My kids are your kids, your kids are my kids—you’ll have to have somewhere to turn to.”
Benson said inflation has hit families hard heading into the holidays.
“The food pantries are overwhelmed,” she said. “I’m so happy we’re getting EBT back — that’s such a big deal — but with Thanksgiving coming up, there are going to be so many hungry kids. This is a huge way to give back to the community.”
Benson said families don’t always have to purchase extra groceries to help. Often, home pantries are already stocked with items someone else needs.
“Everybody’s pantry’s full of dry goods,” she said. “There’s something in there your kids are not gonna eat — just use it.”
Her family followed that advice. “We didn’t have to go and buy anything,” she said. “We already had dry goods.”
Linton encouraged anyone able to give — whether to the museum, a community fridge or a local food pantry — to do so. “If you are in a position to give back, take that opportunity,” she said.
The museum accepts donations year-round. Here are some key food-assistance organizations serving the Lafayette/Acadiana area:
- FoodNet (Catholic Charities of Acadiana) — The Greater Acadiana Food Bank
- Phone: (337) 232-3663
- Hours (pantry distribution): Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- To find a partner pantry near you, see their Partner Pantries list.
- Second Harvest Food Bank
- 215 E. Pinhook Rd, Lafayette, LA 70501
- Phone: (337) 237-7711
