'Clean out your freezer and pantry' event a huge success - KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana

For a group of sportsmen in Lake Charles, the start of hunting season means making room for the new season's kill.  

"We thought it was a really good time right at the beginning of the season when guys want to clean out their freezers," said Jonathan Foret. "Donate some of their meat from the previous season to give to Abraham's Tent."

Started in 2001 by the late Dr. John Foret, "Sportsmen for the Hungry" has become a Foret family tradition that serves double duty by benefiting the community as well. 

"Being a sportsman, we wanted to donate a percentage of our kill to the needy," said Ryan Foret, Dr. Foret's son.

At the Gordon's Drugstore in Lake Charles on Sunday, it was truck after truck as men and women unloaded meats, canned goods, rice and other food items into bins to be given to the Abraham's Tent shelter. 

"I dropped off a turkey and I dropped off a little bit of seafood and some ramen noodles and anything else I could find in my pantry," said Lake Charles resident, Pattie White. 

"I have over an abundance at the end of the year," said Henry Chol of Lake Charles.  "I'm happy to give to Abraham's Tent and I'm a big believer in it... let somebody else have it if they can really need it."

From the parking lot at Gordon's Drugstore to the kitchen at Abraham's Tent, the food collected will be sorted, separated and stored to help the shelter fulfill its mission of providing a hot meal to anyone who needs it. 

"Anyone who needs it and for as often as they need it," said Pearl Cole.

Cole is the executive director for Abraham's Tent and having been the benefactor of the "Sportsmen for the Hungry" event for more than a decade, she said this year's turnout was phenomenal. 

"Definitely a major increase from years past," said Cole. "We're looking at somewhere at least 50 percent more than what we're accustomed to receiving."  

A sign that the people of Southwest Louisiana take to heart the age old proverb, "Do unto others as you would have done unto you."

"Thank you.  Thank you," said Cole. "We can't do it without you. This is a community effort and we thank you."