BOSSIER PARISH, La. (KSLA) – The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office is back with its annual Spirit of Christmas Food Drive Delivery!
This drive is part of BPSO’s Operation Blessing food program. Starting in 1998, the program collects food year-round to assist elderly residents and those in need.
“Today, we’re going to distribute over 400 boxes throughout Bossier Parish. We know Bossier Parish is blessed, we’re very fortunate here,” Sheriff Julian Whittington said. “But, unfortunately, there are still people who need a little help from time to time. And so today is a big day to take those 400 boxes and just give it to them, we don’t want anything in return.”
Spirit of Christmas is part of a push to ensure people in the community have nourishing meals for the holidays. Deputies travel throughout the parish to deliver the meal boxes.
It’s put on with the help of Bossier Parish Schools and Brookshire Grocery. Bossier Parish Schools says they have collected tens of thousands of canned goods to help the sheriff’s office provide for those in need.
“The Bossier Parish School Board is always looking to find ways to reinvest in the community, to do things that allow the community to move forward and to paint the community in a positive light because this is a wonderful place to live,” Bossier schools Superintendent Jason Rowland said.
In November, the sheriff’s office also received a large donation of canned goods from the Bossier Parish Evaluation Center.
Before the deliveries began Tuesday (Dec. 10), a news conference was held at 8:30 a.m. at the sheriff’s office’s Viking Drive substation. Sheriff Whittington said this is one of the traditions that make Bossier Parish special.
“I don’t know what we would ever do if we didn’t have it because we’ve come to look forward to it. And people, frankly a lot of them from year to year, expect it.”
Today’s distribution is a special holiday event, but the pantry is open year-round. The food bank is open from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at 1518 Cox St. To apply for qualification, call (318) 965-3500.
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