This is the 12th in a series of stories highlighting charitable giving and the agencies in need in the Miss-Lou.

FERRIDAY — Twenty years ago, a group of people came to Ferriday claiming they were collecting money for a charity toy drive — but collect was all they did.

After the scammers skipped town, the Concordia Sentinel led a charge to make good the promise the thieves had broken, and the Concordia Christmas Charity Fund was born.

The Ferriday Chamber of Commerce currently administers the fund, and fund director Rena Pitts said that monetary donations can be made at any of the locations of Delta, Tensas and Concordia banks in the parish.

The charity distributes toys to children younger than 12 and a food package to recipient families, and everything that is donated goes directly to the distribution.

“All of the money goes to purchase food and toys,” Pitts said. “The labor is all volunteer.”

Last year the fund served more than 300 families and spent more than $13,000.

“We anticipate more will apply this year,” Pitts said.

The toys and food will be distributed at Ferriday High School Dec. 20, and the holiday packages will be prepared at the high school Dec. 19.

“We have people who will be there, but anyone who wants to help can come,” Pitts said.

Applications to be a recipient from the fund must be returned by Friday, and applications are available at the Delta Music Museum and at the town halls in Clayton, Ferriday and Ridgecrest.

The Office of Family Services screens applications for the fund.

For more information, contact the Ferriday Chamber of Commerce at 318-757-4297 or 318-757-9999.