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On Saturday, Aug. 24, Bogalusa Help Center hosted a special food distribution for clients of four Second Harvest-affiliated Washington Parish food pantries. Second Harvest sent an 18-wheeler truck loaded with 30 pallets of meat, fruit, and dry goods for distribution.

Over 400 cars lined up, row after row, beginning before dawn in the Bogalusa Industrial Park. About 325 clients of Bogalusa Help Center and about 50 clients from the Help Center of Churches, Washington Parish Food Bank and Full Gospel were served. Each client received an average of 75 pounds of food.

Over 60 volunteers from the food banks, BHS Jr. ROTC, Civic League, Washington Men’s Club, Mayor Wendy Perrette, and Bogalusa Fire Department worked from dawn in to the early afternoon in extreme heat — loading four cars every two minutes. The Bogalusa Police Department and the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office were on hand to provide security, and a crew of trustees assisted as needed.

Although there were a few glitches in the day, such as the late arrival of the truck, unsorted food, and extreme heat, the event was a huge success with hopes of more to come.

Bogalusa Help Center has reinvested in and has recommitted to providing food to the community’s needy, and remains “neighbors helping neighbors.” A $20 donation to BHC now provides more than $50 worth of food to our neighbors in need.

For more information on the Bogalusa Help Center, please call 985-735-6404, or drop by the Help Center at 350 Martin Luther King Drive in Bogalusa on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. until noon.