Annual Iota Christmas food drive takes hard work, volunteers

The annual Iota Community Christmas Food Drive conducted by the Iota Volunteers for Family and Community (VFC) was an ongoing project last week at all four Iota schools – Iota Elementary, Iota Middle, Iota High and St. Francis Elementary. The Boys Scouts had manned a collection point the weekend before in downtown Iota.

The work of sorting all the donations began on Friday, Dec. 13, and the actual packaging and delivering were completed on Saturday, Dec. 14.

The VFC members and volunteers pack and deliver over 100 packages to needy families and the elderly in the Iota area yearly. The VFC has been heading this project for almost 20 years.

The VFC commends all the students, faculty and parents who donated for this project, as well as the individuals and businesses who contributed, including Garber Farms, Coleman’s Sausage, Catholic Daughters Court 1519 and the Iota Senior 4-H Club.

VFC members participating were Ruth Ann Klumpp, Gloria Gaspard, Betty Pousson, Wilma Lejeune, Joyce Lejeune, Darleen Courville and Elaine Chatagnier.  Also assisting were Jeff Davis VFC member, Jean Andrepont, and co-chair of the drive, Audrey Miller.

The VFC is in partnership with the LSU AgCenter, and its mission is to strengthen individuals, families and communities through education, leadership and action.