VIDALIA — The Concordia Council on Aging is asking local residents to donate money or paper products this holiday season.

The council, which has its main office located at 405 Carter St. in Vidalia, is a local non-profit that serves the elderly ages 60 and older by providing food, activities and health services. They serve residents in Vidalia, Ferriday and Clayton.

“We take cash donations or donations like paper products — anything seniors can use at our (activity) sites,” said Dorothy McDonald, executive director of the Concordia Council on Aging.

The council has its Vidalia meal site at 411 Texas St. and its Concordia Parish Senior Center at 111 Texas Ave. in Ferriday. In addition to providing seniors with food and medical care, it gives them something to do during their day, McDonald said.

“We’re trying to keep people living an independent life in their own homes as long as possible, so they don’t have to go to the nursing home until it’s necessary,” McDonald said.

“Sometimes families have to go out of town to find work, and they can’t be here to take care of their folks all of the time. It’s important for them to find something to do.”

The council also has a home delivery service, which provides meals to senior citizens, and volunteers occasionally do light housekeeping work, McDonald said. Between 550 and 600 people are currently being served by the council.

Though the council did purchase two new vans this year, which pick up senior citizens and transport them to the Vidalia meal site and Ferriday senior center. McDonald said people are welcome to continue donating to allow the council to update transportation.

“We still have a van that’s about eight years old,” McDonald said. “We would like to expand our transportation into other areas.”

The more people donate, the more senior citizens in Concordia Parish can be served, McDonald said.

For monetary donations, make checks payable to the Concordia Council on Aging, 405 Carter St., Vidalia, LA 71373. Supplies can be donated to the main office or to the meal site location in Vidalia or the seniors center in Ferriday.

For more information, call 318-336-7887.