NATCHEZ — Feed the Hungry was able to donate 77 turkeys to area residents in need over the Thanksgiving holiday, and director Sandra Vanier said the goal is to give out more turkeys this month.

Vanier said $1,000 in donations was good to give 77 of the more than 200 families on the program a turkey. Ideally, Vanier said everyone on the program would be able to receive a seasonal food item for Christmas.

“We would love to be able to buy small hams or turkeys for Christmas for everyone in the program,” Vanier said.

Feed the Hungry is a program run by First Assembly of God church in Vidalia that feeds just more than 200 local families on the last Saturday of every month. In November and December, the program hands out food the Saturday before Thanksgiving and Christmas. Approximately 10,000 to 15,000 pounds of food is handed out each month to needy families.

The cost to sponsor a family for a month is $15, or you can sponsor a family for a year for $180. Income and number of people in the household determine eligibility for the program, Vanier said, and you can call Feed the Hungry at 318-336-4050 to find out if you’re eligible.

Vanier said the program operates close to the red for most of the year and relies on donations and community support to make it through each year.

Mayor Hyram Copeland told Vanier he was planning a red light drive for Dec. 20, she said, and the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office recently hosted a jambalaya dinner that raised more than $1,300 for Feed the Hungry.

“We want to thank the mayor and Sheriff (Kenneth) Hedrick for their support,” Vanier said.

However, more donations are needed. Several schools have done or are planning canned food drives, and anyone is welcome to donate canned food or money at the church.

“We take any kind of canned or non-perishable food,” Vanier said. “The only thing we can’t take is deer meat if it hasn’t gone through USDA inspection.”

First Assembly of God also has its Lighthouse Thrift Store, and items can be donated to the thrift store by placing them on the side of the white gate next to the store, Vanier said — if rain isn’t expected. The thrift store is open Thursday through Saturdays.

“Please don’t leave it out there if it’s raining,” Vanier said. “Wait until it’s open.”

Proceeds from the thrift store has helped pay the insurance for Feed the Hungry for two years now, Vanier said, as well as other church programs.

Donations can be mailed to Feed the Hungry, P.O. Box 577, Vidalia, LA 71373. Food can be brought by on Mondays, or you can call Vanier at 318-336-4050.