Organizers for the 22nd Annual Food for Families food drive are asking residents to consider donating baby products and high protein items to this year’s food drive. This annual food drive helps to replenish the cupboards of our local food banks, Eugene Fontenot, director of Care and Share, said. And the cupboards are unusually low he said due to the recent hurricanes. Fontenot and volunteer leaders at Care and Share like Ollie Bright said there are several items at the top of the food bank’s list residents need. “We need baby food,” she said. She explained there was a story recently in the news where a mother was diluting her baby’s milk to make ends meet and it nearly killed the baby. The mother was very upset when she learned she had contributed to her baby’s illness, according to Bright. Bright said even if the mother receives WIC (Women, Infants and Children), sometimes its not enough food and milk for the baby. Both Fontenot and Bright said high protein items like canned meats, canned seafood, peanut butter, rice and beans are good staples to purchase. And of course they need toiletries and monetary donations. “We’re challenging business, organizations and corporations to give,” Fontenot said. Donations can be used as a tax write off. If you need assistance or want to volunteer, Care and Share is open Mondays and Thursday from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Fontenot said residents can donate food at the Northside Civic Center in Ville Platte from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 10. Santa will be there. He said volunteers are needed. If you have a question or wish to volunteer, please call Fontenot at 831-1180. Mamou Faye Parrott is organizing the food drive in Mamou.This year’s donations can be brought to the St. Francis Center, which is located next to St. Ann’s Catholic Church. She said they have had a request for sugarless foods for diabetics, as well as personal items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. Volunteers are needed. If you wish to volunteer call her or Dickie at 468-3565 or 831-1430. Items needed If you wish to make a food donation, these are the items you should consider purchasing. •Nonperishable food only; no homemade products will be accepted. •Rice, flour, cornmeal and pasta •Dried potatoes and beans •Canned vegetables, fruit, fish, juices, milk and meats •Powdered milk •Soup •Tuna •Baby diapers and wipes •Jello •Peanut butter •Jelly •Syrup •Baking products •Cooking oil •Sugar •Seasonings •Mayonnaise •Mustard •Tomato sauce •Coffee, coffee creamer and tea •Kool-Aid •Breakfast foods •Hot and cold boxed cereals •Crackers •Home paper products •Toilet tissue •Toilet articles •Shampoo •Soap •Detergents