By David Vitrano
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – One resident at each of St. John the Baptist Parish’s public housing developments got a little extra help getting a traditional Christmas meal on the table this year thanks to a new initiative by the parish Housing Authority.
On Friday, Housing Authority Executive Director Trina Henderson along with Jarkus McKinley, Stacey Francis and Druhetta Borne visited the four lucky residents to bring them their food packages. According to Henderson, the packages contained “all the makings of a Christmas dinner — and a cake.”
One winner from each location was chosen by random drawing.
Henderson said she and her staff wanted to do something special for Housing Authority program participants this year because they have had to deal with numerous changes over the past couple of years as the Housing Authority has struggled to come back from years of mismanagement.
“The Housing Authority just wanted to give back to the residents,” said Henderson. “It’s a tradition we hope to continue.”
“This is a small token, similar to a mustard seed, and we’re sowing prosperity in the new year,” added McKinley.
The four lucky winners were Angelique Bolden in LaPlace, Wendy Cosey in Reserve, Kenjatte Edwards in Garyville and Brittney Shavers in Edgard.
Said Cosey, who Henderson described as acting like a mother to many of the children in the Reserve development, “It’s great. It will be a big help.”
Henderson said residents should look for more events aimed at giving back.
“We’re hoping to do more outreach activities in the future,” she said.