FERRIDAY — More than 815 people were helped by the Concordia Christmas Charity Fund this past year, and the program chair hopes the parish can find it in its heart again to help the less fortunate with groceries and toys.

Since 1988, the charity fund has been helping Concordia Parish families put food on the table and provide children a toy during the Christmas season, said program chair Rena Pitts.

“It is hard to believe that we have children who do not have the thoughts of a happy Christmas that many of us do, but that is the case,” Pitts said. “I just encourage everyone to open their hearts to help make it a great Christmas for the less fortunate.”

From now until Dec. 7, people can pick up and turn in applications for assistance at three area banks — Delta, Concordia and Tensas. Pitts said those interested in donating can also go to any of the three banks, which have donation slips.

Pitts said Concordia Christmas Charity, which is sponsored by the Ferriday Rotary Club, operates entirely off of donations, rather than people buying the toys or groceries. She said volunteers would use the money to buy the toys based on four age brackets ranging from 2 to 12.

The grocery list works similar. Pitts said the staples are canned vegetables, rice, cake mix, a small ham, flour and sugar. If funding is available, she said volunteers will pick up potatoes and other times some years.

“It is through the generosity from the people of Concordia Parish that we are able to help the less fortunate families in the parish” Pitts said. “If the children need a toy, we want them to get one.

“Santa needs help sometimes.”

Pitts said distribution of the toys and groceries would begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec., 17 at the Ferriday High School cafeteria.

Those interested in volunteering with bagging and packaging are welcome to arrive at the cafeteria on Friday, Dec. 16. Pitts said they would look to get started at 3 p.m.

“We have had great volunteers every year, especially from the inmates at Rivers Correctional,” Pitts said. “I just hope people will show the love of Jesus during the season by helping less fortunate children and families.”

In August, Pitts, who has been the chair for more than 10 years, said she got a reminder of why she continues to volunteer for the charity fund.

“I was at one of the stores and the lady at the register asked me if I was that lady with the Christmas Charity,” Pitts said. “She said last Christmas she didn’t have a job and she and her two children only received gifts and a special meal thanks to the Concordia Christmas Fund.

“That’s what makes it worthwhile.”