'Parks and Recreation' Returning for Charity Special Episode

Parks and Recreation is coming back for a scripted charity special and will see the return of Pawnee’s ex-government employees, including Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Rob Lowe, Jim O’Heir, Adam Scott and Retta, plus a number surprise guests.

Written by co-creator Mike Schur, the upcoming episode is inspired by current events. “Pawnee’s most dedicated civil servant, Leslie Knope (Poehler), is determined to stay connected to her friends in a time of social distancing,” the episode’s logline reads.

The Parks and Rec special will be raising money for Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund after NBCUniversal, the cast and the producers’ pledged a matching donation of $500,000 USD. In addition to the aid, State Farm and Subaru are also contributing $150,000 USD each.

“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,” Schur said in a statement. “I sent a hopeful email to the cast and they all got back to me within 45 minutes. Our old Parks and Rec team has put together one more 30-minute slice of (quarantined) Pawnee life and we hope everyone enjoys it. And donates!”

Parks and Rec saw a successful seven-season run from 2009 to 2015 and has since become one of Greg Daniels and Mike Schur’s most beloved programs. The sitcom followed the Parks and Recreation department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana, mainly focusing on deputy director Leslie Knope as she climbs the political ladder while attempting to keep her honesty and integrity as a bureaucrat.

The Parks and Recreation charity special episode airs April 30 on NBC.

Elsewhere in entertainment, watch the trailer for Jerry Seinfeld’s upcoming Netflix comedy special.

Leslie Knope wants to let you in on a secret… On April 30, #ParksAndRec is returning to NBC for “A Parks and Recreation Special”. Our workplace proximity associates, along with our neighbors at @StateFarm, are raising money for @FeedingAmerica. Join us! https://t.co/YuyWBTYmrH pic.twitter.com/ZId6Lq3rkJ

— Parks and Recreation (@parksandrecnbc) April 23, 2020