VIDALIA — First Assembly of God Church in Vidalia’s Feed the Hungry ministry has been providing food to the poorest of the Miss-Lou for 20 years, but they cannot do it alone.

Feed the Hungry Director Kay Miller said the organization gives out a 50-pound box of food every month to each of the 150 families on its list, which spans Adams County, Concordia Parish and Tensas Parish.

“It’s a ministry, a helping hand to the community,” Miller said. “There are people that need help. We only do it once a month, but it helps them get through.”

The boxes include nonperishable staples such as rice, beans, canned vegetables, cereal, potatoes and sometimes frozen products.

“This Christmas, everybody gets a turkey,” Miller said. “We gave out chickens for Thanksgiving, and we wanted turkeys for Christmas, and that’s the way it worked.”

Miller said the Food Bank of Alexandria donates the nonperishable food, but the turkeys were funded through local donations.

“We’ve received overwhelming response, because there are a lot of needy people in Adams County and Concordia Parish,” Miller said.

The ministry is operated entirely by volunteers and funded entirely by donations.

“The community really does reach out, and we distribute those donations every month,” Miller said. “If it wasn’t for the fundraisers, we wouldn’t be able to do it.”

Feed the Hungry financial administrator Susan Chapman said the red light fundraiser is the ministry’s most important event.

“It’s crucial for the program to continue,” Chapman said. “We have to have funds.”

Chapman said volunteers will take shifts to stand at the corner of Matthew Street, Cross Street, and Carter Street in Vidalia from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 22, collecting cash donations for both Feed the Hungry and the food bank that it relies on for its boxes.

The Vidalia Fire Department, Vidalia Police Department, Town Hall, mayor’s office and Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office have shown support for the organization and will take part in the fundraiser.

“Every hour, someone stands with the vest and bucket and signs,” Chapman said. “Fire trucks and police cars will be out there. You won’t be able to miss it.”

Miller said Feed the Hungry also accepts food donations, which can be delivered to First Assembly of God Church.

Cash or check donations can be sent to P.O. Box 577, Vidalia, LA, 71373.

The ministry also needs volunteers to help pass out food at 8 a.m. Dec. 19. Volunteers can sign up by calling 318-336-4050.

“There’s a verse in Proverbs that says when we ignore the needs of the poor, God won’t hear our prayers,” Miller said. “When we’re eating at our table, we should remember the poor.”