Spc. Nicholas Campbell, a Louisiana National Guardsman with the 1022nd Engineer Company, 225th Engineer Brigade, carries boxes of food to put in an elderly person’s car in Colfax, Louisiana, April 22, 2020. The 1022nd sent around 10 Soldiers to Colfax from Ruston to assist the Grant Parish Council on Aging with their monthly food distribution during the COVID-19 response.

COLFAX, La. – About 10 members of the Louisiana National Guard with the 1022nd Engineer Company, 225th Engineer Brigade, helped hand out food to elderly residents April 22.

“It’s nice to finally put a face to the people that we are helping. It gives us a sense of fulfillment,” said Sgt. Richard Garcia. “We had to leave Ruston at around four in the morning to get here on time, but it was worth the trip to be able to help people out.”

The LANG, as directed by Gov. John Bel Edwards, has over 1,245 Soldiers and Airmen assisting with the COVID-19 response - part of a nationwide force of nearly 43,000 National Guard troops in the fight.

“The Soldiers helping us here have been super great about being careful to follow safety protocols to ensure that our elderly community members don’t get sick,” said Brittany Brumley of the Grant Parish Council on Aging. “We asked the Guard for help because they are so great at helping the community when we need it.”

The Louisiana National Guard has members mobilized throughout the state providing medical support, engineering assessment, shelter security, traffic control, drive-through testing and food distribution.

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