{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/local-spotlight-cassidy-highlights-lsu-students-dedication-to-the-baton-rouge-community/", "LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Cassidy Highlights LSU Student\u2019s Dedication to the Baton Rouge Community", "2026-07-31", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "Senate", "LA", "Bill Cassidy", "C001075", "www.cassidy.senate.gov", "cassidy", "https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), for his monthly Local Spotlight, recognized William \u201cWill\u201d Grand for turning a simple observation into a community effort that has helped feed thousands of Louisianians in need. As a junior at LSU, Will founded Giving Greek, a student-run organization that has donated more than 10,000 meals to a local Baton Rouge homeless shelter. Will is a shining example of how one person\u2019s leadership can impact thousands. Each month, Cassidy highlights a local story that truly reflects Louisiana values of humility, respect, and resiliency.\n\nRead his full July 2026 Local Spotlight below:\n\nThis month\u2019s local spotlight is William Grand.\n\nA few years ago, Will was a junior at LSU and a member of an Interfraternity Council organization. One night after getting out of a late class, he noticed something that just didn\u2019t sit right.\n\nRegularly one of the last people at the table for dinner, he watched as trays of perfectly good food were thrown away at the end of every meal.\n\nMost people would have noticed this waste and moved on. Will didn\u2019t.\n\nHe asked a simple question: Could this food help someone else?\n\nHe reached out to Baton Rouge\u2019s St. Vincent de Paul homeless shelter to see if they would accept food donations. They welcomed the idea with open arms.\n\nWill still remembers that very first delivery. As he pulled into the parking lot, a man walked up to his car, reached into his pocket, and began counting a handful of coins.\n\nWill told him the meal was free.\n\nThen, the man asked if he could have another plate for a friend who also hadn\u2019t eaten in days.\n\nThat moment changed everything.\n\nIt was a reminder that what seemed like leftovers to one person could be a lifeline to another.\n\nThat single act of service turned into Giving Greek, an organization that now brings together fraternities and sororities from across LSU\u2019s campus to rescue food that would otherwise go to waste and deliver it to neighbors in need.\n\nToday, Giving Greek has donated more than 10,000 meals to St. Vincent de Paul.\n\nBut the impact hasn\u2019t stopped there.\n\nThey\u2019ve organized toy drives for children during Christmas. They\u2019ve handed out blankets during hard freezes. They\u2019ve continued looking for new ways to serve their neighbors.\n\nOne thing surprised Will in this journey.\n\nIt wasn\u2019t how many were in need of help.\n\nIt was how many wanted to help.\n\nWe often think people don\u2019t care. But maybe they\u2019re just waiting for someone to lead.\n\nEven after graduating from LSU, Will still helps organize volunteers each week and has passed the leadership of Giving Greek to younger students. He hopes to see the organization continue to grow at LSU and one day spread to universities across the SEC.\n\nNow he\u2019s beginning another chapter in service of others as he pursues a career in dentistry.\n\nSomething tells me that whether he\u2019s caring for patients, leading his profession, or serving his community, he\u2019ll keep finding ways to make Louisiana a better place\u2013 in fact, he sounds like a future Senator to me!\n\nWill, our future is in good hands with leaders like you. Thanks for all you\u2019re doing.\n\nBackground", 1, "2026-08-01T07:27:26Z", "2026-08-01T07:28:22Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/local-spotlight-cassidy-highlights-lsu-students-dedication-to-the-baton-rouge-community/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9380788542330265, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}