Under the umbrella of ADAPT, the Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services (WPCHS) “Pass the Hat” recipient for the month of October was the Bogalusa Help Center.

The donation was presented by Gloria Kates, WPCHS President, to Wade Adams, Vice President, who handles the day to day operations of the Help Center. Adams is currently mentored by Gene Hayman, President of the Bogalusa Help Center for the past 18 years.

Adams shared that the Help Center organized some 32 years ago, starting with 14 churches that united their pantries forming one organization. The Bogalusa Help Center serves 450 families per month distributing meat, rice, bread, bananas, canned vegetables, dry beans, macaroni and cheese, and noodles. Food products and monetary contributions are donated by churches, schools, individuals, and a variety of organizations.

According to Adams, 20 volunteers assist in providing services to citizens that come to the center for help. The Bogalusa Help Center is located at 350 Martin Luther King Drive. Hours of distribution are from 8 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. each Wednesday.

The WPCHS is a social service organization with the goal of improving the quality of life for citizens of Washington Parish. Membership is open to the public. Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at ESM United Methodist Church. For more information, contact the ADAPT Office at 985-735-0160.