Al Copeland, businessman and founder of Popeyes Chicken, had an engaging and wildly exuberant presence. He was not only known for his spicy chicken and fluffy biscuits, but also for his flashy power boats and flamboyant Christmas displays.
In 2008, he passed away from Merkel Cell Carcinoma. To continue his legacy and carry on his wish to cure cancer, his children established the Al Copeland Foundation (ACF).
Louisiana is the seventh highest state for cancer diagnoses, yet receives less than 1% of nationally awarded financial resources for cancer research. Since its inception, the ACF has raised more than $1.9 million.
To support its efforts, ACF recently kicked off its annual November fundraiser #IDidItForTheTurkey. For the entire month of November, the ACF will sell #IDidItForTheTurkey gaiters and face masks with all proceeds going to support the nonprofit organization. This event will take place online and at Parkway Bakery & Tavern.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, the restaurant will join the fundraiser in a different capacity than years past and will have special “dipjars” located throughout the restaurant to allow patrons to make direct donations.
“We are thrilled to be serving our Thanksgiving po-boys again this year,” said Justin Kennedy, Parkway general manager and chef in a recent press release. “Being able to make a mark in the community is something we are passionate about, but being able to be a part of something bigger with the Al Copeland Foundation—that makes us proud.”
Parkway Bakery will also celebrate with easy to assemble Parkway Thanksgiving Family Meal Kits. The kits include two large Thanksgiving poor boys with Parkway memorabilia and can feed four people.
Parkway Bakery and Tavern has been serving the public since 1911. It’s a family business and owner Jay Nix has continued that tradition since the day he purchased Parkway from the original family in 1995.
“We encourage everyone to join the fight because in some way we are all touched by cancer at one point in our lives,” says Al Copeland, Jr. “Our doctors are doing groundbreaking work at the Copeland-LSU Health Science Center Partnership in Viruses, Cancer and Immunotherapy. New local research, education, and patient programs are one focus, but we have also opened 17 immunotherapy trials, enrolled 98 patients, and have helped three patients so far become completely cancer-free. Every dollar raised for the Al Copeland Foundation gets us one step closer to fulfilling my dad’s final wish to save lives and end cancer. Justin Kennedy and the Parkway Tavern have been instrumental to raising funds for our mission.”
Mission: The Al Copeland Foundation supports new AFC local cancer research, education and patient programs at the Copeland-LSU Health Science Center Partnership in Viruses, Cancer and Immunotherapy. ACF believes we are on a path to fulfill a wish, to save lives and end cancer.
Successes:
$1 Million Al Copeland/Cancer Crusaders Endowed Chair in Neuroendocrine Cancer at LSU Health Sciences Center;
Helped open the first clinic for HIV-AIDS patients with cancer in the Gulf South region;
Helped initiate a new clinical trial of lung cancer vaccine at LSUHSC; and
ACF provides needed local funding for research and programs. All employee expenses and general overhead costs are paid for by the Copeland Family of Restaurants.
How Readers Can Help:
Through November 23, you can pre-order meal kits Wednesday through Sunday by calling (504) 482-3047 for any Tuesday curbside pick-up from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
#IDidItForTheTurkey gaiters and face masks can be ordered online at www.alcopelandfoundation.org or purchased at Parkway Bakery & Tavern.
Website: www.alcopelandfoundation.org
Phone: (504) 620-3727
Mission: The Al Copeland Foundation supports new AFC local cancer research, education and patient programs at the Copeland-LSU Health Science Center Partnership in Viruses, Cancer and Immunotherapy. ACF believes we are on a path to fulfill a wish, to save lives and end cancer.
Successes:
$1 Million Al Copeland/Cancer Crusaders Endowed Chair in Neuroendocrine Cancer at LSU Health Sciences Center;
Helped open the first clinic for HIV-AIDS patients with cancer in the Gulf South region;
Helped initiate a new clinical trial of lung cancer vaccine at LSUHSC; and
ACF provides needed local funding for research and programs. All employee expenses and general overhead costs are paid for by the Copeland Family of Restaurants.
How Readers Can Help:
Through November 23, you can pre-order meal kits Wednesday through Sunday by calling (504) 482-3047 for any Tuesday curbside pick-up from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
#IDidItForTheTurkey gaiters and face masks can be ordered online at 
