The Bossier Sheriff’s Office has kicked off its Christmas food drive with the delivery of nearly 125 food barrels to Bossier Parish schools.

Students and faculty will fill the barrels with canned goods and non-perishable food items over the next few weeks in support of Bossier Parish Operation Blessing, the parish food bank program. Those foods will then be assembled in “Spirit of Christmas” food boxes to help provide meals for homes with elderly and needy residents this Christmas. Brookshire’s Grocery provides the boxes for the program.

“The support of the Bossier Parish School Board and our schools, students, faculty and parents to support Operation Blessing each year is amazing,” said Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington. “The food they gather and donate will be used to make Christmas food boxes that our deputies and Posse members will deliver to our residents in need – everyone should be able to enjoy a good meal during Christmas.”

Operation Blessing, which began in 1998, operates solely by contributions, not by public funds, and Sheriff Whittington is grateful for the year-round support from businesses, organizations and individuals. The program also provides food to about 80 to 90 families each week throughout the year.

“Our residents are so caring to help meet the needs of others,” said Sheriff Whittington, “and it thrills my heart to know that folks carry out the principle, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’.”

Residents can also help donate food items by dropping off canned foods or non-perishables at the Bossier Sheriff’s Office substations on Viking Drive or Arthur Ray Teague, or at the Bossier Parish Courthouse in Benton.