Caddo Parish highlights food distributions, youth volunteers and Nature Center grand opening

Parish administration at the Dec. 1 work session reminded commissioners of a Walter B. Jacobs Nature Center grand opening scheduled for Dec. 4 and thanked commissioners and volunteers for supporting November food distribution events.

Miss Bryant, speaking for administration, said staff provided parking passes for commissioners for the Nature Center event and that earlier food distributions—funded by the commission—were well attended. She said volunteers and the parish youth leadership alliance helped organize and distribute items quickly. Commissioners reported roughly 1,300 boxes of food were distributed across multiple events, with one District reporting about 700 boxes at Galilee Baptist Church and others contributing to a combined total reported as approximately 1,300.

Administration also provided a juvenile detention update, reporting there were 11 individuals in detention; the transcript records several categorical figures alongside that total (including references to a 17-year-old and other program labels) but the breakdown in the record is unclear. Miss Bryant said Miss Merrick could not attend today but planned to be present Thursday to offer additional remarks and to express appreciation for the commission's role in funding the distributions.

Commissioners urged a timely decision on whether to host another food giveaway in December because of lead time required to order food. The president and several commissioners praised youth volunteers who helped organize the giveaway and thanked staff and community partners.

Next steps: Administration will follow up with commissioners on logistics for any additional December distribution and will provide further reports on juvenile services at the next meeting.