Lake Charles U-Haul Team Serves Free Thanksgiving Lunch to Locals

U-Haul opened its heart, its parking lot and its wood-fired smokers to the residents of Lake Charles and surrounding Louisiana communities who had been impacted by Hurricanes Laura and Delta to offer a free Thanksgiving lunch.

Jerry Bowden, U-Haul Company of South Central Louisiana president, gathered a large crew of volunteers at U-Haul Moving & Storage at Hwy. 14 in Lake Charles for the Nov. 25 event.

“We were thrilled to provide a full, complimentary Thanksgiving meal to our community members who have endured such a trying year,” Bowden said. “This was our way to make Thanksgiving a little better for countless customers and neighbors around Lake Charles.”

Community Support

Thanks to the donations of U-Haul Team Members, and the volunteer efforts of two pit masters and several sous chefs on staff, U-Haul served more than 300 delicious Thanksgiving meals consisting of smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, creamed corn and Cajun-style dressing.

Food was shared utilizing health and safety protocols. The drive-thru event enabled patrons to remain socially distanced and receive food in their cars — a plate for every person in the vehicle.

People began lining up at 9 a.m. for the free Thanksgiving lunch, which was served at noon.

Disaster Relief

U-Haul also extended 30 days of free self-storage to Lake Charles residents, providing a measure of storm relief before and after the two hurricanes that devastated the community over a stretch of just a few weeks.

In addition to its 30 days free self-storage disaster relief program, U-Haul is proud to be at the forefront of aiding communities in times of need as an official American Red Cross Disaster Responder.

“Lake Charles dealt with two hurricanes this season and the U-Haul team has really stepped up,” said Brett Hogan, U-Haul area district vice president. “They not only served the community, but also helped each other during these times.”

Thanks to the U-Haul Team Members and their families who made this free community lunch possible: Jerry Bowden, Valerie Simet, Emily Upshaw, Guy Lohr Jr., Sheraton McKay, Dwight Farr Jr., Diane Bertin, Christina Ward, Kayden Kijanski, Jason Kidd, Zack Lohe, Blake Orr and Zack Gradney.

Learn how U-Haul is benefitting the communities it serves by visiting the “In the Community” section on myuhaulstory.com, or discover more about our philanthropic objectives by clicking here.

To the Moon, Sun and Mars: How Far Do U-Haul Truck Customers Travel?

U-Haul trucks are a familiar sight on North American roadways. The Company’s shared-use business model, affordable rates and accessible locations have been empowering people to move to a better life since 1945. Ever wonder how many miles those orange-clad U-Haul...

Philly Special: U-Haul Storage has Super History in Philadelphia

U-Haul is the largest and oldest provider of self-storage in the City of Brotherly Love, with more than 13,000 rentable units and storage service dating to the 1970s. The commitment to Philadelphia is very intentional, and direct ties to several of the city’s most...

2020 andrea batchelor community service free lunch Jerry Bowden lake charles louisiana thanksgiving U-Haul Company of South Central Louisiana volunteer

What’s New

To the Moon, Sun and Mars: How Far Do U-Haul Truck Customers Travel?

U-Haul trucks are a familiar sight on North American roadways. The Company’s shared-use business model, affordable rates and accessible locations have been empowering people to move to a better life since 1945. Ever wonder how many miles those orange-clad U-Haul...

Philly Special: U-Haul Storage has Super History in Philadelphia

U-Haul is the largest and oldest provider of self-storage in the City of Brotherly Love, with more than 13,000 rentable units and storage service dating to the 1970s. The commitment to Philadelphia is very intentional, and direct ties to several of the city’s most...

Hey, “Orange” You Glad It’s Autumn

At U-Haul, you could say orange is our color. It has been since 1946, just one year after our organization was founded. It’s on U-Haul storage doors, trucks, trailers, furniture and utility dollies, and plenty more. But it’s not just our color. Countless moving and...

The Origin of Orange: How a Color Came to Define a Company

Do you know orange came to be perpetually linked to America’s most iconic moving and self-storage company? Soon after U-Haul® was born in 1945, founder and WWII Navy veteran L.S. “Sam” Shoen was towing one of the Company’s first trailers through a four-way...

U-Haul VP Steve Dudley Named Honorary Commander at Luke AFB

Steve Dudley, U-Haul Vice President of Retail Sales, has been selected by Luke Air Force Base to be part of the 56th Fighter Wing Honorary Commander Program. Dudley was named an Honorary Commander for the 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron (56 LRS) and has been...

U-Haul Partners with Forests Canada to Support Healthy, Resilient Forests

To help Canada's forests better face the growing pressures of increasing wildfires, biodiversity loss, and extreme weather events, U-Haul® and national charity Forests Canada are launching a multi-year, national partnership called Healthy Forests for Future...

Hurricane Preparation: U-Haul Offers Help in 4 States ahead of Isaias

Six U-Haul® Companies spanning the northern Gulf Coast and all of Alabama and Mississippi are proactively offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container use at 101 stores in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi to residents in the path of Isaias,...

U-Haul Named 11th Healthiest Workplace in America

U-Haul® has received its highest national ranking for Team Member health and well-being, placing No. 11 on the 2026 Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America by Healthiest Employers®. The annual list honors organizations nationwide that demonstrate exceptional commitment...

Flood Relief: 30 Days Free Storage Offered in Nebraska, Iowa

Three U-Haul® Companies are offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container use at 35 U-Haul centers across Nebraska and Iowa to residents impacted by record rainfall and flooding. In Omaha, intense storms on Wednesday made it one of the city’s wettest days...