The gist: November is busy in Lakeland. The city’s latest City Management Update (Oct. 28) has a food drive, an art contest, an open volunteer seat and a road-work heads-up. Here’s what to put on your calendar.

Give a can (or a few)

The city’s Thanksgiving Food Drive is collecting non-perishable sides to build holiday meal boxes for local families.

  • Deadline: Wednesday, Nov. 18.
  • Most needed: Boxed stuffing, dry macaroni, canned soup, beans, cranberry sauce, green beans, yams and corn, instant mashed potatoes, cornbread mix, cake mix and mini marshmallows.
  • Drop-off spots: Parks and Recreation Office (9845 Lake District Dr., Suite 103), Oakwood Clubhouse (10133 Matwood Oak Dr.), City Hall (10001 Highway 70) and The Pet Hospitals (3031 Canada Rd.).
  • Cash: Monetary donations go to the Parks and Recreation Office only.
  • Pickup: Families scheduled for a box pick it up Saturday, Nov. 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Parks and Recreation Office.
  • Questions: Special Events Coordinator Alex Harris, (901) 633-7003 or events@lakelandtn.org.

Calling young artists

The Young Artists Spotlight is open. Students in Lakeland art classes have their teachers submit their work. Other young Lakeland residents can apply on the city’s online form with a high-res photo named StudentName_Title_Grade. Entries are due Nov. 12, and awards are Dec. 3. Questions go to Jasmine Barbee at jbarbee@lakelandtn.org.

Live in Plantation Woods, Bentbrooke Hills or on Cobb Road?

That’s District 8, and its seat on the city’s Community Advisory Board is open. The board gives residents a direct line for input to City Hall. Apply through the city’s boards page.

Heads up on New Canada Road

Earthwork and drainage work is starting north of the Canabridge Road and New Canada Road intersection. Expect more equipment, trucks and noise there.

Quick dates

  • Sun., Nov. 1: Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Clocks go back an hour.
  • Tue., Nov. 3: Election Day. Here’s who’s on your ballot.
  • Thu., Nov. 5: Board of Commissioners meets at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
  • Wed., Nov. 11: City Hall and the Senior Center are closed for Veterans Day.
  • Thu., Nov. 12: Planning Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Sources: City of Lakeland, City Management Update, Oct. 28, 2026; City of Lakeland calendar (BOC Nov. 5, Veterans Day closure Nov. 11, MPC Nov. 12).

Photo: A soldier unloads donations from a 2014 U.S. Army food drive, not in Lakeland. Capt. Patrick Bracken / U.S. Army via Wikimedia Commons (public domain), cropped.