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LAPLACE— The Raising Cane’s “Sugar Cane’s” location at 123 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace was recently recognized for continuously supporting veterans in the community.

About six years ago, American Legion commanders Allan Reynaud of Post 383 of LaPlace and Gene Franques of Post 396 of Metairie began hosting a bingo at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Reserve each November as part of the annual Veterans Day celebration. Reynaud reached out to Raising Cane’s in LaPlace and received chicken tenders and toast at a reduced rate, in addition to tea and lemonade donations.

The annual tradition carried on for three years, until the COVID-19 pandemic shut down visitation to the home. Once doors fully reopened in 2022, the American Legion once again partnered with Raising Cane’s to make the most recent Veteran’s Day bingo bigger and better than ever.

American Legion posts 383, 377, 396 and 267 hosted a bingo with more than $800 in prizes, while Raising Cane’s once again provided enough discounted food to feed approximately 130 Veterans Home residents.

Last week, Reynaud and Franques were joined by Ladies Auxiliary President Kathy Drum and Sonya Hebert, activities director at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home, as they presented an award of appreciation to the Raising Cane’s LaPlace staff.

“We went back this year for Veterans Day for the first time in a while, and we could not have provided the food without Cane’s,” Reynaud said. “They have a good community attitude. They’ve been very generous, and it means a lot to the people living in the home. The veterans love that chicken and that bread because it’s something they don’t get regularly.”

Hebert said the veterans’ eyes light up when they are treated to a meal from Cane’s. The Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home has received outstanding support from several local restaurants including but not limited to Arby’s, Papa John’s and Spuddy’s in Vacherie. Raising Cane’s has been another consistent supporter during the Veterans Day event and at other points during the year.

“A few times a year, veterans vote on where to order in from, and we’ve worked with Mr. Tim at Cane’s to get a huge discount. They gave us whatever we needed and even threw in the bread. When we got there, it was steaming hot and ready to go, and they came out like an army, bringing it to the car to help us any way they could to make it a pleasant experience,” Hebert said.

The staff of Raising Cane’s reaffirmed that they are always willing to help and are only a phone call away.

Elissa Maxwell, area leader of marketing, said Raising Cane’s of LaPlace has partnered with the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home for many years.

“Community is very important to Cane’s, and the military and veterans are no different. Any time they reach out, we want to donate tea, lemonade, and provide any kind of meals they need. We are always happy to support our military and the veterans in particular,” Maxwell said.

The Sugar Cane’s location has additionally supported the St. John the Baptist Parish community with meals following natural disasters including the LaPlace tornado and Hurricane Ida.