FERRIDAY, La. &045; On the first Monday of their Christmas vacation, several teenagers spent the morning packing food into bags for families less fortunate.

&uot;I like doing stuff like this,&uot; said Myesha Byrd, a bright smile on her face.

Byrd was one of several students from Ferriday’s job readiness class who helped prepare for today’s distribution of food and toys from the Concordia Christmas Charity Fund. Members of the Future Business Leaders of America helped as well.

The students’ help was appreciated by adult volunteers who have spent many years working on the project themselves.

&uot;Since (Ferriday Junior High School Principal Dorothy Parker) became chamber president, she’s got a lot of young people involved,&uot; said volunteer Rena Pitts. &uot;For a long time there were just a few of us.

&uot;It makes a big difference to have these young people here.&uot;

&uot;They see the process Š&uot; Parker said.

&uot;And how needed it is,&uot; Pitts finished.

The Charity Fund, administered by the Ferriday chamber, is helping 270 families this year. At the Ferriday High School gym Monday, volunteers packed bags of flour, sugar and corn meal into bags.

Food was donated by students at Huntington School and purchased with donations from the community. Families will also receive toys for their children.

Food will be distributed from 9 to 11 a.m. today.