FERRIDAY — Bringing groceries and toys home over the holidays may seem like a common occurrence, but for some families, the routine task is difficult.

For nearly 30 years the Concordia Christmas Charity Fund has been ensuring families throughout Concordia Parish don’t have to do without by giving them groceries and toys around the holiday season.

The Ferriday Rotary Club currently sponsors the fund. Other organizations have done so previously.

Throughout the years, the Christmas Charity Fund has assisted hundreds of families and thousands of people during the holiday season. Last year, the fund provided more than 1,000 people with groceries and 600 children with toys.

Chairman of the fund Rena Pitts estimates this year will be similar.

“As bad as the economy stays in our area, there are so many people who barely have enough money to buy food,” Pitts said.

Fund organizers fill bags with groceries valued at approximately $20, including holiday staples such as flour, sugar, canned vegetables, cake mix, a small ham and rice.

Bags go to needy families that are vetted by the organization.

Toys are also purchased for children aged 1 to 8 and gift cards for ages 9 to 12.

“Children are the priority for making the donation to ensure that they will have toys at Christmas,” Pitts said.

Pitts said the organization is specifically looking for monetary donations to buy food and toys. If people donate toys, then volunteers have to sort them into age and gender appropriate groups.

“Not that we wouldn’t take toys, but it’s easier for us and less time consuming if money was donated,” Pitts said.

Monetary donations can be made at the Vidalia and Ferriday branches of Concordia Bank, Delta Bank and Tensas State Bank. Checks should be made out to the Concordia Christmas Charity Fund.

“The donations need to be done as quickly as possible so we ensure they can get the toys and food that’s needed,” Pitts said.

Donations, however, are accepted year-round.

If people do want to donate toys, Pitts said they would be accepted after 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Ferriday High School cafeteria.

Anyone interesting in volunteering can show up at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the cafeteria to assist with preparing for the distribution.

On Saturday, volunteers should arrive by 8 a.m. at the cafeteria for toy and grocery distribution at 8:30 a.m.