Acadiana Cinemas in Picayune and The Blood Center will partner together to host a blood drive on Wednesday, July 15. Locals will be able to donate blood inside the center’s mobile bus, which will be stationed at the theater’s parking lot from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The theater plans to offer free movie passes to the first 20 blood donors and free t-shirts to all donors, said Michael Odom, the theater’s general manager.

“Donating blood is something that we see as a vital need in our area and if we can help we will,” Odom said.

In the past, Acadiana Cinemas has partnered with the center to hold blood drives.

Kristi Garner-Womack, account representative at The Blood Center, said she’s partnered with the cinema on various occasions at their other locations in Mississippi and Louisiana.

“They’ve worked with us in past to make sure we have blood at our hospitals during times of need,” Womack said.

During the summer months, hospitals typically undergo a shortage in blood donations and an increase in demand, Womack said.

“We’re critically low in certain blood types during summer and winter time. More people are out on the roads at this time so we see a surge of people coming in who need blood for whatever reason,” Womack said.

Anyone who can’t make the event but is interested in donating blood is encouraged to visit the local Blood Center located at 318 Memorial Blvd., Womack said.

Odom encourages the community to donate blood during Wednesday’s event.

“We’re going to need as many people as possible. I’m going to donate and want to get my employees to donate as well,” Odom said.

Acadiana Cinemas is located at 997 Cooper Rd. For more information, call the theater at (601) 749-8345.