The Bossier Sheriff's Office made the holiday for nearly 500 families with Operation Blessing Tuesday.
Deputies gathered at the Viking Drive Substation in Bossier City before caravaning to deliver food boxes for needy families throughout Bossier Parish for the 14th year.
Brookshire’s contributed greatly and Bossier Parish schools held food drives for the charity.
“It takes a lot of people to get the food here,” said Whittington. “Brookshires and Bossier schools have been tremendous.”
One student in particular took it upon himself to help the program.
Kevin Thomas, an 18-year-old senior at Parkway High School, donated 341 food items by himself.
The part-time Krogers courtesy clerk was so moved by seeing customers forced to put back grocery items because they couldn’t afford them, he used his own tip money to contribution to the food bank program.
“I don't know very many adults that have the foresight and caring to do that,” said Whittington.
Operation Blessing is a food bank program started by the Bossier Sheriff’s Office in 1998 to help elderly, handicapped and low income families in Bossier Parish. It operates without tax dollars and is funded by donations by individuals and area businesses.
The program supports more than 125 families per week year-round, and at Christmastime, a special food box is developed to provide a hearty meal for families during this special season.
