FERRIDAY, La. — Delores Dotson of Ferriday was one of hundreds who stood in line for a box of food in Ferriday Friday morning despite soaring temperatures.

&uot;A lot of folks can’t work or can’t find a job. I get welfare and food stamps, but it doesn’t go far,&uot;&160;Dotson said as the woman standing beside her in line nodded.

In response to that need, Oklahoma-based ministry Feed the Children brought two trucks full of non-perishable food to Ferriday Friday to distribute to the needy of Concordia Parish at the old farmer’s market building on First Street. In all, the nonprofit gave away about 1,400 boxes.

Volunteers started handing out boxes at 10 a.m. to those who stood in line. By 10:30 a.m., about 600 boxes of beans, rice, canned goods and other staples had already been given out, and cars were parked all the way down First Street and along nearby roads. Given the August temperatures, even effort was made to serve senior citizens first.

&uot;This response is just overwhelming,&uot; said Alex Promise, the town’s administrative assistant and a Feed the Children volunteer.

This is not the first time Feed the Children has visited Ferriday. The last time was in 1997, when it brought seven trucks of food. And if the nonprofit gets its way, it will return twice a year from now on, said Don Richardson, a Feed the Children vice president. And after three years spent keeping track of the area’s still dismal economic statistics — including double-digit unemployment rates – Feed the Children representatives decided the need was still great enough for them to visit the area again.

Ferriday Councilman Sammy Davis Jr. could have told them that.

On Friday, Davis was one of more than 20 community leaders who volunteered to distribute boxes, organize lines of recipients and help the elderly to and from their cars.

&uot;We hear a lot of talk about foreign countries, but there are places worse off in this country,&uot; Davis said. &uot;This (food) is not steaks, but at least it’s something.&uot;

The smiles of recipients, he added, made the physical labor worth it.

Dorothy Leonard of Ferriday said she knows of many people who could use such assistance. &uot;A lot of people can’t work,&uot;&160;she said. &uot;I live on Social Security, and the food runs out before the end of the month.&uot;

&uot;There is plenty of need for this here, as you can see,&uot; said Roger Cameron of Vidalia, holding his tiny great-grandniece in his arms. &uot;Just look around.&uot;