By COLLIN BREAUXLocal senior citizens and the Holmes Council on Aging are giving back to the community.
Members of the organization are going out every week to fill “blessing boxes” throughout Holmes County. The boxes are filled with food, which is available to anyone in the area in need. There are several blessing boxes throughout the county, including one across from Bethlehem School.
“We put three cans of peas and corn and mixed vegetables and things like that–rice and other things,” senior citizen Debora Waddell said.
Council on Aging members also plan to fill the boxes with tuna, spaghetti noddles, and pasta.
“We try to think of something they can make as a meal,” Council on Aging Older Americans Act Coordinator Tammy Manning said. “Pancake mix, syrup. Peanut butter and jelly. We put bread in there this time. Someone can make a sandwich.”
Manning said there is “undoubtedly” a need for food supplies in the community.
Senior citizen Bobby Dalon said she enjoys helping out others.
“We get so many donations here for them, they wanted to do something for the community,” Manning said. “The community gives to us. We give back to the community.”
Waddell said it “feels good to pay it forward.”
“I remember there was a time when I was younger and had a small child. It was good to have somebody helping me out when I was a single mother,” Waddell said. “It feels good and it feels right.”
Garett Valcourt 
Staff Report