Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Alabama State Parks Division is asking visitors to help neighbors in need through a new initiative called Parks for People. The effort is a statewide food drive that focuses on communities around Alabama State Parks. Organizers say the goal is to connect outdoor recreation with service to others. The program highlights how small donations can make a big difference for local families.

The food drive will take place from December 1 through December 14, 2025, at Alabama State Parks, including the Gulf State Park. During those dates, visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items when they come to enjoy the parks. Donations at the Gulf State Park Headquarters can be dropped off at: 20115 State Park Road, Gulf Shores AL 36542. The collected food will then be delivered to food banks that serve the nearby communities.

Many other parks across the state are also taking part in Parks for People. Participating Alabama State Parks include Joe Wheeler, Monte Sano, Cathedral Caverns, Lake Guntersville, DeSoto, Buck’s Pocket, Rickwood Caverns, Oak Mountain, Cheaha, Wind Creek, Chewacla, Lakepoint, Blue Springs, Roland Cooper, Meaher, and Frank Jackson State Parks. Each location will collect food that stays in its own surrounding area.

Organizers stress that every donation collected remains in the local community. That means a can of soup or a box of pasta given at Gulf State Park will go to a nearby food bank serving coastal families. The same is true for donations made at any of the other listed parks. The division says this local focus helps visitors feel a direct connection to the people they are helping.

The Parks for People campaign also encourages visitors to share their participation online. After dropping off food, guests are urged to snap a photo and tag Alabama State Parks on social media. Officials hope that these posts will inspire friends, family members, and other followers to join the cause. The shared images can spread awareness far beyond the park gates.

State park leaders say the message behind the campaign is simple. They sum it up as “Your parks. Your communities. Your impact.” By combining a day outdoors with a small act of giving, visitors can support families facing food insecurity. The program also shows how public parks can serve as great gathering points for community service.

The Alabama State Parks Division directs people to find their nearest participating location at Alapark.com/parks. From there, visitors can choose the park they plan to visit, gather some non-perishable items, and take part in the Parks for People effort during the December 1–14 collection period.