By KEVIN CHIRI

Publisher

LAPLACE — As we are now underway in the second annual L’Observateur &#8220Food for Families” program, it doesn’t take long to understand whether the need for help at Christmas exists.

We are now asking for donations of non-perishable food, or monetary donations so we can buy food, to help needy families this holiday season. But we also are seeking nominations of those who could use food boxes for Christmas.

The requests we get, detailing a little about each family situation, make it clear why we hope to be very successful in our program.

&#8220Single parent caring for three boys, and also having to raise grandchildren.”

&#8220Single parent, broke, and having problems with some hard times.”

The list of nominations

(See Families, Page 2A)

(From Page 1A)

goes on and on, but makes it very clear why we hope you will help us with our &#8220Food for Families” campaign.

Last year, the first &#8220Food for Families” program was sponsored by L’Observateur, seeking donations of non-perishable food items, or monetary donations that we use to purchase food.

&#8220Considering what recently happened to our entire region, we know the needs of many are probably more than normal,” Publisher Kevin Chiri said. &#8220And that is why we feel like our ‘Food for Families’ program is more important than ever this year.”

Individuals or businesses who would like to participate may mail monetary donations to &#8220Food for Families,” c/o L’Observateur, P.O. Box 1010, LaPlace, La., 70459. Or you can bring donations of non-perishable foods to our newspaper office just off Hwy. 44 (old Main Street), located at 116 Newspaper Dr.

You can also drop off donations to A Storage Inn, 2820 Hwy. 51, LaPlace. They are open to receive donations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.

Donations will be collected until Monday, Dec. 12 at 5 p.m.

Food boxes will be personally delivered by newspaper employees no later than Saturday, December 17.

Last year the program delivered 45 food boxes to needy families in the area, and this year we hope to increase that number, especially with many households having extra people living with them who were displaced from the hurricane in the New Orleans area.

If you would like to nominate a family to receive a food box, fill out the form at the end of this story and mail it to &#8220Food for Families,” c/o L’Observateur, P.O. Box 1010, LaPlace, La., 70459.