FERRIDAY, La. – By her own admission, Kay Maier of Monterey has a soft spot in her heart for the elderly.

&uot;I&160;take them anywhere they need to go – to the doctor, to town, to the welfare office,&uot;&160;Maier said. &uot;I just love working with them.&uot;

So when a neighbor, Doris Rhodes, asked Maier 23 years ago if she would volunteer with the Food for Seniors program in Concordia Parish, Maier didn’t hesitate in saying &uot;yes.&uot;

And she has been volunteering for the program ever since.

The program, which feeds those 60 years old and older, provides recipients with 40-pound boxes of food at a cost of $905, said Irene Fugler, coordinator of volunteers for the program.

&uot;I&160;take 84 boxes to Monterey on the day we distribute food, which is the fourth Thursday of every month,&uot;&160;Maier said.

Maier was taking a short break such duties as paperwork and, along with inmates from the Concordia Parish Correctional Facility, loading the boxes into a vehicle.

Food distribution takes place at the community center at the Correctional Facility on Louisiana 15 just outside Ferriday.

She added that in order to use a Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office vehicle to distribute the food boxes, she had to be deputized seven years ago.

She also volunteers with the sheriff’s office for whatever tasks she is needed, such as helping out at sheriff’s substations.

Also Maier’s only full-time job is being a homemaker, she said volunteering with non-profit groups throughout the Miss-Lou keeps her busy enough.

In addition to volunteering the Food for Seniors program, Maier also works with Relay for Life and Special Olympics.