UNIVERSAL CITY (CNS) - “A Parks and Recreation Special,” network television's first scripted program addressing the coronavirus pandemic, will air at 8:30 p.m. tonight on NBC.
The half-hour special with all the series' original cast members will also serve as a fundraiser for Feeding America's COVID-19 Response Fund, which assists food banks across the nation as they support communities impacted by the pandemic.
A total of $500,000 in matching donations will be made by State Farm and Subaru of America combined with NBCUniversal and the writers, producers and cast of “Parks and Recreation” through May 21.
State Farm and Subaru of America will each make matching donations of $150,000, according to NBC.
Donations can be made at www.feedingamerica.org/parksandrec.
The special centers on Leslie Knope's (Amy Poehler) efforts to stay connected to her friends in a time of social distancing.
“Like a lot of other people, we were looking for ways to help and felt that bringing these characters back for a night could raise some money,” said executive producer Michael Schur.
“I sent a hopeful email to the cast and they all got back to me within 45 minutes.”
The special will be preceded at 8 p.m. by “The Paley Center Salutes Parks and Recreation,” which will highlight many of the show's most memorable moments and what went on behind the scenes.
“Parks and Recreation” ran from 2009-15, receiving 15 Emmy nominations, including six for Poehler as outstanding lead actress in a comedy series and two for outstanding comedy series.
Photo: Getty Images