Lafayette Kid News Update #2

Lafayette Kid News Update #2

by | Jul 13, 2026 | Blog, Lafayette Kid News

Dear Community,

Since our last update, we have released the 2nd issue of Lafayette Kid News! This issue featured a new Kid of the Quarter, a delicious recipe, more sports, hobbies, poems, puzzles, jokes and art, some very creative comic strips, a local business spotlight written by our editor, 9 year old Audrey, and much more!

We have enjoyed going out into the community to reach even more people by setting up a booth at Fit Fete Fusion downtown where we handed out newspapers and conducted a “summer poll” with the results displayed in this second issue. We also had a booth at Rockin’ on the Runway where we conducted a “back to school poll”. These results will be in our upcoming 3rd issue.

We are excited to announce that we have changed printing to a local company, The Advocate! This has helped lower the printing cost and eliminate shipping cost, but most importantly, support local businesses.

This second issue was once again fully funded by our “giant check” winnings from the 24 Hour Citizen Project and the generous donors. We are still pinching ourselves over this incredible opportunity and forever grateful for all the backers who choose to be a part of making our home a better place.

Our 3rd issue will be released on August 1 and will be the first issue containing advertisements and sponsors. This will help keep the newspaper free beyond our initial one year goal.

Excited to see what the future holds for LKN. Now go and get a kid to submit!

Sincerely,
Audrey, Luke, & Layne Dupre
Team Lafayette Kid News

Team F.O.O.D. Update #2

Team F.O.O.D. Update #2

by | Jul 13, 2026 | Blog, F.O.O.D.

Dear Community,

F.O.O.D. Acadiana is excited to share a fresh update on our community fridge initiative! Since our last check‑in, two new fridges have been successfully completed and are already making a meaningful impact. The Christian Life Center fridge was completed on March 28 as planned—developed in partnership with the Brandon Mason Project—has been an incredible success, with steady use and strong community engagement. The church congregation pitches in to make sure the fridge stays stocked and Likewise, the Raccoon Oak Farm Community Fridge, coined “The Breaux Bridge Giving Fridge”, is thriving thanks to the ongoing care and stewardship of neighbors who have embraced it wholeheartedly. Breaux Bridge residents are stopping by multiple times a week to deliver goods and clean the area. Both fridges are operated via solar energy, courtesy of The Footprint Project.

Christian Life Center and The Breaux Bridge Giving Fridge are being maintained by the community neighborhoods at large, which is exactly the kind of shared responsibility and mutual aid this project was designed to inspire. The consistent inquiry about donations, delivery, cleaning, and monitoring happening at each location speaks volumes about the commitment of those involved and the real need these fridges are meeting. During Festival International, we were able to save 1500+ plates of food from rescues, and these fridges certainly came in handy at that time to feed those in need. This is a vital community resource.

Looking ahead, we’re currently in active conversations with the Thensted Center in Grand Coteau. Mockups for a fridge build have been sent. On a side note, we’re also exploring an additional grant opportunity with them that could help bring yet another F.O.O.D. project to life! The enthusiasm from their team has been encouraging, and we’re optimistic about what this partnership could become.

As for our fourth location, we have found one but it is still in the beginning phases of negotiation.. Footprint Project is willing to donate two more kits to us and the contractors that helped build the Christian Life Center Fridge will return for this build when we are ready. We are aiming for late July to begin building at this location.

Thank you for your continued support, collaboration, and belief in this project. Every fridge built is a testament to what we can accomplish together, and we look forward to sharing more progress soon.

Global Bites Update #2

Global Bites Update #2

by | Jul 13, 2026 | Blog, Global Bites

Dear Community,

Wow! What can I say other than how blessed I feel about this whole project. It truly took a community AND some good fortune to make this event a success: from the seed funds from 24 Hour Citizen Project, to my friends who volunteered and helped, to strangers who bought passports and also did whatever was necessary to make this a success, to Festival International volunteers and staff who were tremendous, to the vendors who really gave it their all and were so easy to work with, to the Divine help in keeping the rain away!

Positives and Negatives:

The event took place on the Tuesday before Festival International. The street was blocked off from the morning so it allowed me to start setting up and getting ready without having to rush. I had one of my paid helpers not show up at all, so that put a bit of strain on me and the other person I hired to help, but Festival International staff came to the rescue and kept everything smooth and not rushed.

I met multiple times before the event day with the vendors to make sure they can visualize and truly understand what the day would look like, what they would need to bring, their responsibilities and for them to feel like they are all part of this team and project. I think these meetings were crucial.

I had all my signage, plate-ware, passports and stamps ordered and ready weeks beforehand. Glad I did, as some things still didn’t get to me until a few days before.

We were set up for NO CASH and only credit cards to simplify things BUT I should have tested the app (Square App) and the phones again the day off. Right before everyone got there, we realized the tap to pay option was not going thru, even though I tried it 2 days earlier. My ticket salespeople had to manually enter the credit card numbers which slowed down the process. Luckily it wasn’t a huge problem, but my goal was to not have lines at all for tickets. Lesson learned.

I also learned that I need to find better ways of getting the word out to those who might be interested in events like these. Quite a few people have approached me after the fact saying they wish they knew about the event. So I need better pre-event communication.

But overall, people thought it was great and want me to do this again next year. They loved that it was not an event with a large crowd, so I plan on keeping it at around 250-300 people next year.

64 Squares of Lagniappe Update #1

64 Squares of Lagniappe Update #1

by | Jul 13, 2026 | 64 Squares of Lagniappe, Blog

Dear Community,

Since our last update, we’ve spent a lot of time listening, observing, and researching how chess is already showing up across Acadiana. What we’ve discovered is exciting: Lafayette is blooming with opportunities to play. From the Breaux Bridge Chess Club to casual games at the new Sojourn Tea and Carpi Diem Cafe, there seems to be a new place to find a chessboard every week. If you’ve ever been curious about learning the game, there’s never been a better time to be a chess player or a beginner in Acadiana.

One of our favorite moments came during Festival International de Louisiane. While enjoying the music and energy of downtown, we found ourselves playing a game of chess on a cardboard box with a vendor from New Orleans. Throughout the festival, we spotted chess sets and pieces for sale in all kinds of creative shapes and styles. It was a reminder that chess, much like music, is a universal language that brings people together.

Our biggest effort since winning the 24 Hour Citizen Project has been researching the best locations, dates, and times to host pop-up chess events. While we originally hoped to move a little faster, we’re being honest when we say life sometimes gets in the way. Between work, family, and everyday responsibilities, progress took longer than expected.

But that delay also taught us an important lesson: before making our first move, we wanted to understand the board. Taking the time to research and build relationships has helped us better understand where this initiative can have the greatest impact.

As a result, we’re excited to share that 64 Squares of Lagniappe is ready to make its debut. Our next phase focuses on launching pop-up chess experiences throughout downtown Lafayette to build awareness, gather feedback, and grow a community around the project before pursuing a permanent installation.

Our timeline has shifted slightly, but our vision remains the same: creating welcoming, accessible spaces where people can connect through chess. Budget projections remain on track, and we’ve identified new community resources and partners who share our enthusiasm for expanding chess opportunities throughout the region.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned so far, it’s that Acadiana is more ready for public chess than we ever imagined. The pieces are already moving. Our job now is to help bring them together on the same board.

Thank you for continuing to support 64 Squares of Lagniappe. We can’t wait to share what’s next.

Warmly,

The 64 Squares of Lagniappe Team

Global Bites Update #2

Global Bites Update #1

by | Feb 17, 2026 | Blog, Global Bites

Dear 24 Hour Citizen Community!

First of all, thank you so much for believing and funding the Global Bites vision.

More than ever, I think we need this to celebrate our local international communities, their food and culture.

The event is still scheduled for Tuesday, April 21st evening on Polk Street right by Parc Sans Souci.

Since right after I found out that we won the funding, I have been working on logistics and planning. I have had meetings with Festival International, LPD, Fire department, Coca Cola and DDA among others to keep things moving forward.

I have an amazing small but powerful team (Marissa, Faryal, Moussa, Geoff & Remil) who have been a huge help in advising and guiding me. We have been meeting regularly as well.

I have reached out to some communities and we are already at 9 cuisines! Was hoping for 8-10 and think I will stick with max 10 cuisines to make sure everyone makes money.

I will be ordering the passports (your entry ticket to this event) next week and am starting to order other products (passport stamps, plateware, signage) in the next 2-3 weeks.

Just wanted to give you guys a quick update,

—
Merci,

Sami Parbhoo