Hunger and homeless week observed

St. Mary Community Action Agency is joining organizations across the country in observing the month of November as “National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Month.”
Almetra J. Franklin, Chief Executive Officer, says “the purpose of this observation is to shed light on the needs of the homeless in our communities. This is an effort to assist families and individuals with food, clothing, housing and other provisions needed to move away from homelessness and poverty and toward living viable lives.”
In honor of National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Month St. Mary CAA is relying on community members in helping to make this event successful. The agency is asking local grocery stores to donate a basket of non-perishable food items to help stock pantries for the upcoming holiday season. In addition, all local churches are challenged to collect non-perishable items for “Great & Grateful Day” on Sunday, Nov. 15. Arrangements can be made to pick up donated items on the following Monday and Tuesday, or you may drop the items off at 1407 Barrow St. in Franklin.
The week of Nov. 16-20 will be proclaimed National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week. There will be a proclamation signing by mayors of cities and towns in St. Mary Parish, as well as the parish president, at the Franklin Recreation Center on Wednesday, Nov. 18. The event begins at 10:30 a.m., and at that time St. Mary CAA will acknowledge community partners who have assisted in aiding homeless residents. During this season of giving, the agency wants to encourage others to continue giving and helping to remove housing barriers that plague our communities.
The public is encouraged to participate, and admission for this event will require one business card per person. Door prizes will be given out as well. Please RSVP by contacting. Delores Stewart or Karen Artis at (337) 828-5703.