Cars were lined up outside of Gordon’s Drug Store Sunday afternoon for “Clean Out the Freezer and Pantry Day” — an annual
event put on by the area Sportsmen for the Hungry Organization to benefit Abraham’s Tent.
Henry Chol, of Lake Charles, donated ducks, geese, fish and numerous pantry items.
“I have an over abundance at the end of the year, and I’m happy to give to Abraham’s Tent,” Chol said. “Let somebody else
have it that really needs it. I plan on filling it back up again.”
Sally Foret started the annual event 12 years ago with her late husband, Dr. John Foret, and continued the effort after his
death in 2003.
“We all want to continue in his name,” Sally said. “He was a hunter and fisherman. He was a conservationist, too. He loved
the sport, but he didn’t want to see waste.”
She said the food donated will be used to make gumbo and stews and can be used for months.
Dr. Foret’s nephew, Jonathan Foret, said donations have increased throughout the years.
“We thought this was a really good time
at the beginning of the season when everyone wants to clean out their
freezers and
donate meat from their previous season to give to Abraham’s Tent,”
he said. “We started off with a relatively small gathering
but it has really grown a lot.”
Dr. Foret’s son, Ryan Foret, said donations included deer meat and deer sausage, fish, ducks, geese, pork, frozen turkeys,
and dry goods as well.
“The meat is more expensive, so it has
been nice that we can get hunters and fishermen to donate their protein
to furnish
healthy meals for Abraham’s Tent,” Ryan said. “This year has been
the strongest yet. I think we build every year and the word
gets out. We have a lot of repeat customers and people that are
expecting to give a percentage.”
Pattie White, of Lake Charles, dropped
off a turkey, rice and seafood. “I knew John Foret and just absolutely
loved him and his wife and I’m just happy to be apart of it,” White
said.