This time of year is typically known as the season of giving. However, there are many people that give back all year long.
Angel and Charity Cosme are two such people.
They are the owners and operators of Picayune’s Infused Custom Herbal Infusions.
However, there’s more than just herbal blending going at the business.
Travel beyond the beaded wall to the back of the facility and people will find a wall filled with canned goods, bread and other food for the needy in Pearl River County.
The couple also operates the non-profit Healing Interfaith.
“My husband, Angel, began this non-profit about 10 years ago to help a friend of ours who suffered from cancer,” Charity said. “The group lay dormant for quite a while until Angel talked to a preacher in New Orleans about starting a food bank.”
For the past four months, the couple has been collecting food.
For the most part, the couple spends their own money and time traveling to pick up donated food.
A local bread factory and grocery stores donate bread and fresh produce, Charity said. A group in Tennessee donates the canned food and the only cost to the Cosmes is shipping.
Chris Murphy works with the Slidell non-profit group Eptworth Project, which is run out of Adler’s Gate Church and he will oftentimes stop at Infused to collect food.
“This is all going to the needy,” Murphy said. “I will drop these food items off at local food banks and fire departments in St. Tammany Parish.”
Charity said they usually have some kind of food in the back for someone in need. All forms of donations are accepted and can be dropped off at the store.
“When you’re making money in a community, you have a responsibility to give back,” Charity said.
Infused is located at 209 W. Canal St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
People in need are welcome to come during business hours to receive food, Charity said.
Find the store on Facebook at Infused and the non-profit at Healing Interfaith.
The Cosmes have a GoFundMe page, which can be found at www.gofundme.com/himfood.