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Local organizations are banding together to feed their community this holiday season. LaFayette Fire & EMS, LaFayette Main Street and the Community Health and Wellness Center will be collecting non-perishable foods from Dec. 11 to Dec. 22 for the “Holiday Food Drive.”

All of the organizations are drop-off locations for the food items donated. They can be placed in paper bags with the Chambers County Community Health and Wellness Center logo or designated boxes. 

The idea came about when Chief Jim Doody of the LaFayette Fire & EMS opened up the box of the new paper bags with the center’s logo printed on them. 

“We just got it in the mail, I think a day or two ago, and I opened the box up and I’m like you know what, let’s do something with these bags. Let’s see if we can find a few partners locally and strategically placed throughout the cities for drop-off points. And everybody automatically said, ‘Yes, let’s do this’,” recounted Doody.

He said it was a quick decision, but one that was overdue. As a first responder, Doody said there is a need for efforts like this in the community.

“Some of the places we go to, you can tell there is a need for a little extra help throughout the whole year really but especially during holiday time, it’s kind of nice to have some options presented to you,” Doody said.

He reiterated that Main Street and the health center have created avenues to bring resources to the residents of LaFayette and surrounding areas, and he hopes the food drive will do the same. 

The drop-off locations will be taking any non-perishable food items during business hours, although the fire station is open 24/7. Doddy said they are looking for an organization to distribute the food once donated. It will most likely go to one of the local food banks.

“Every little bit helps… if this goes well, we’ll do bigger and better things throughout the year and at other holiday times…it takes a community to do this. And I know we can do it,” Doody said.