KPLCTV: Big Brothers Big Sisters of SWLA asking for ‘Lunch Buddy’ volunteers
Published: Aug. 12, 2025 at 7:21 PM CDT
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana is looking for residents who want to become a Lunch Buddy for a student this school year.
The nonprofit organization says the Lunch Buddy Program is for adults who may not have enough time to be a big brother or big sister.
Each volunteer will meet with their little for 30-minute lunches twice a month.
“It’s also a great way to get into mentoring because it’s a lower stress, lower expectation as far as planning. You don’t have to plan an outing, you don’t have to go pick them up, you don’t have to do all that. It is kind of an easy way to get in and just show up and be there for the kids,” Program Director Amber Morgan said.
Big Brothers Big Sisters wants to have more than 50 Lunch Buddy volunteers for this year.
This also provides students with an opportunity to connect with a mentor who can help guide them.
We asked one of BBBS’s littles how it feels to have a mentor.
“Good cause, I didn’t really have a sister, and I’ve always wanted a big sister or younger sister. So it’s kind of like I had a sister come and help me at school,” Malee Devillier said.
Malee was paired with Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Katie Watkins last year.
“Being a ‘Bigs with Badges’ I’m like, ‘Hey I wear a badge and I can be a big and I can give you know back to the community in a good way such as going and meeting with them for lunch and just being someone if they need someone to talk to and listen to them,’” Watkins said.
Olivia Rivera had a mentor when she was younger, and now she is paying it forward.
“It was life-changing for me. It really just opened up my eyes to how important it is to have a role model in your life,” Rivera said.
The Lunch Buddy program is for elementary students. For information on how to sign up, click HERE.