The Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services had two presentations during a monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Elizabeth Sullivan Memorial United Methodist Church in Bogalusa.

Gene Hayman, with the Bogalusa Help Center/Food Bank, talked about serving 400 to 500 families each month with $15 worth of food for the week. Families pick up food on Wednesday from 8 a.m. until noon. The Help Center serves those living in poverty, with serious medical issues and/or special needs, or those who have recently experienced a traumatic event like a natural disaster. The Help Center is located at 350 Martin Luther King Drive.

Charlotte Champagne, from the United Way of Southeast Louisiana, conveyed that supporting United Way is one way to improve our community. Champagne also shared information about FamilyWizard, a free prescription savings card to help people save up to 75 percent on uncovered prescriptions or for family members without insurance.

Coalition members posed for selfies with a “Respect Yourself” message against drugs, tobacco and marijuana. The selfies were created in celebration of Red Ribbon Week for social media.

The Parish Coalition involves people who represent business, civic, health care professionals, law enforcement, media, parent, religious organization, school, state government agency, substance abuse organization, youth and youth-serving organizations.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 9:30 a.m. at Elizabeth Sullivan Memorial United Methodist Church in Bogalusa, with a preliminary committee meeting at 8:30 a.m. Members of the Washington Parish Youth Council will make a presentation on “Tobacco Advertising in Convenience Stores.”

To find out more about the Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services, visit online at www/wpchs.weebly.com or “like” the Coalition on Facebook at “WPCHS.”