With Thanksgiving Day coming up in five days, a Zumba instructor from Nipomo held a Thanksgiving dance party in Arroyo Grande Saturday to raise money for the SLO Food Bank.
Heidy Mangiardi, who runs Zumba with Heidy classes every week at Heritage Square Park, hosted a one-hour fitness class at 10 a.m. for community members.
The Zumba class served as a fundraiser for the food bank, with participants being asked to give a suggested $10 donation to the non-profit. Dancers could also donate $1 to enter a raffle for prizes.
Mangiardi said all proceeds will benefit the SLO Food Bank so it can provide healthy holiday meals to local families in need.
The fitness instructor and small business owner said she is excited to help the food bank ahead of the holiday season.
"It's such a tough time out there. There's so much out of our control, and the one thing we can control is the way we react to the things happening around us, so all the people here have chosen to react with kindness and graciousness of wonderful hearts," said Mangiardi.
Manigardi said she teaches Zumba classes at Heritage Square Park every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. She also hosts Barre Connect classes on Mondays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. at the same location.
All participants are encouraged to wear a face mask before and after classes and are required and follow social distancing guidelines.
The Arroyo Grande Parks and Recreation Department gave clearance for Mangiardi to host the Thanksgiving Dance Party at the park so all proceeds from the event will directly benefit the food bank, according to Mangiardi.
