VIDALIA — Feed the Hungry was able to raise enough funds late last week to allay fears that their financial situation might not allow them to continue their operations unhindered.

After an emergency fundraising roadblock on Friday, the charity — which provides a 50-pound box of food to needy families on a monthly basis — was able to raise $4,507.38, Director Linda Bonnette said.

“That was pretty good that hot of a day,” she said. “We are very grateful to everybody that helped.”

Then, on Saturday, the group received a $5,000 grant.

Those two income boosters should set the charity for the next three months, keeping things financially smooth until Feed the Hungry’s two biggest fundraisers of the year, a jambalaya dinner conducted by the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office in October and a roadblock in December, Bonnette said.

Currently, Feed the Hungry provides food to approximately 200 needy families.

Feed the Hungry’s program works on the concept of sponsorships, and ideally every family would have a sponsor who gives $15 a month to Feed the Hungry for the food.

“We always need sponsors,” Bonnette said. “We don’t turn families down, and that is one of the reasons we got in the spot we did — it is kind of hard to buy the food for the box if you can’t get that $15.”

Currently, approximately 50 of the families Feed the Hungry assists are without sponsors.

“Anybody interested in becoming a sponsor, anybody who would like to come and see how we do things around here, we are open to that,” Bonnette said. “We like to do that, to show what we do and the extent of what we are doing here.”

Those interested in getting involved with Feed the Hungry should contact Bonnette at 318-336-2428 or 318-719-9760.

Donations or written inquiries can be directed to Feed the Hungry, P.O. Box 577, Vidalia, LA 71373.