Alabama State Parks is asking visitors to help combat hunger as it rolls out a first-of-its-kind statewide food drive from Dec. 1 to 14.

The Parks for People campaign invites guests to drop off nonperishable items at participating parks, with every donation directed to food banks that serve the surrounding communities.

The initiative spans 17 parks: 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 and Frank Jackson as well as Meaher in Spanish Fort and Gulf State Park at the beach. Visitors are encouraged to take photos during their trips and share them on social media to boost awareness.

Park leaders said the drive reflects a longstanding connection between Alabama’s protected lands and the people who live near them.

“The idea for the Parks for People Food Drive grew out of something simple but core to who we are: Alabama State Parks exist for the people of Alabama. Our parks don’t sit apart from the communities around them. The parks are an integral part of those communities,” Alabama State Parks said.

The system noted that although individual parks have hosted community aid events in the past, this marks the first time the entire division has coordinated a single statewide effort.

“As a division, we wanted to do something that matched our mission beyond trails and campsites. We take care of the land every day, but we also want to take care of the people who depend on that land. Thousands of families live, work and spend their free time in and around our parks. A statewide unified food drive felt like the right way for our parks to stand together and give back,” the organization said.

Leaders framed the campaign as a way to combine local relationships with statewide reach.

“While many of our parks have hosted their own community support events individually, this is the first time we have come together as a division to combine those efforts into one unified statewide initiative. We wanted to harness the strength of all our parks working as one team, showing that when we pool our efforts, we can make a real difference. Each park serves its local community but we support the entire state when we act collectively,” the organization said.

“At its heart, the Parks for People Food Drive is about connection. The parks supporting the people, the people supporting their neighbors, and a statewide effort to strengthen the communities we serve,” the organization added.

Food insecurity affects families across Alabama, and state officials estimate that thousands rely on food banks each month. Park managers hope the drive will draw steady donations during the early winter season, often one of the most challenging periods for charity food supplies.

A list of participating locations can be found at www.Alapark.com/parks.