Give with a grateful heart

Those who enjoy and dine together during the Thanksgiving Day feast and pray a Thanksgiving blessing today, may want to be mindful of those less fortunate right here in Eunice and surrounding areas.
As the Eunice Food Bank gears up and prepares for its 27th annual Food Bank Food Net Drive set for Wednesday, Dec. 11, the non-profit food bank supplies those less fortunate year-round with food and non-perishable staples.
Eunice Food Bank Director Mary Ann Guillory says that volunteer workers are slowly receiving food items each day.
“Glad people in our community are so willing to help,” she said. “Food supplies are beginning to come in. However, our shelves need more to provide for many more families in need.”
GEMA President Deacon David Guillory encourages Eunice citizens, schools, businesses to give at this time of year. And with the upcoming food drive around the corner, he said the need is great.
Guillory added, “We have been so blessed, and we are grateful for all who have given in the past years during the annual Food Drive, and especially thankful to those who give year round.”
With the government– which has had its hand in the food stamp program– some families are feeling the effects from a 5 percent decrease in their food stamps supplement.
“The need for more food items here are definitely in need,” said Guillory. “We have seen an increase of 3 to 5 new families per week coming by to get food.”
Guillory said volunteers are needed for the Dec. 11 annual Food Bank Food Net Drive.
The public can drop off food items beginning at 5 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Dec. 11. The Food Bank is in need of canned goods, dry staples-such as flour, rice, sugar, noodles, toilet paper, paper towels, baby diapers and baby products, personal toiletries and hygiene products, detergents, and much more. Monetary donations are also accepted.
Guillory also expressed a need for plastic grocery bags.
The Eunice Food Bank is located on Samuel Drive inside the Northwest Community Center, and opened Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 9 a.m. until noon. Their phone number is 457-7541.