Area organizations combine to feed those in need
Food insecurity is a year-round concern throughout Fayette County, but it’s one that the county’s food bank and chamber of commerce work together to address all year long.
The 2018 Fall Food Drive, held by the Fayette Chamber of Commerce last month at the South Union Township Walmart’s grocery entrance, and a separate food drive at the chamber’s annual dinner last month combined to net 800 pounds of nonperishable goods and $700 in donations for the Fayette County Food Bank, which is operated by the Fayette County Community Action Agency and supplies 49 food pantries countywide.
Food bank staff recently hauled 250 turkeys away from Walmart that were covered by donations from the food drive and other collection efforts for distribution to those in need.
“I have to say that the thing that impresses me the most about this community is the giving spirit,” said Muriel Nuttall, executive director of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce. “Whether it is a larger donation from one of our bigger businesses in the county, to the elderly gentleman who walks in and hands us cash anonymously, the donations are plentiful and sincere.”
Nuttall credited local businessman and chamber board member Chris Kennedy with being the sparkplug who makes the food drive successful.
Kennedy said he got involved with local food drives around a decade ago after seeing a television news report about the prevalence of hunger among children in the United States.
“That’s just unconscionable in the United States of America,” Kennedy said.
Nuttall said the chamber started helping the Fayette County Food Bank in 2010, with its annual chamber dinner drive garnering hundreds of turkeys over the years for holiday distribution.
The chamber also has a perpetual food drive that consists of concession fundraisers during parades, Nuttall said, adding that every dollar of profit is given to the food bank in one way or another, either through turkey or ham donations or donation of funds or products throughout the year.
Nuttall credited Kennedy and his wife, Vicky, for organizing each event and working with the food bank to make sure that the chamber is filling its needs effectively, as well as personally manning every fundraising event throughout the year.
“We get a lot of people who donate because the food bank was there to help them in their time of need and they want to give back,” Nuttall said. “Our business community has always been ready and willing to donate to help the people in their community.”
On Monday in Washington County, more than 200 Boxes of Love were distributed to low-income families. The boxes contain all of the ingredients necessary for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
“Families start with an empty box,” said City Mission Samaritan Center coordinator Paul Smith. “They go around the chapel and choose the items they want to fill their box with. They can get all the fixings like stuffing, cranberries, potatoes, canned vegetables. At the end, they pick out their own frozen turkey.”
“In addition to an entire Thanksgiving meal in a box,” said Brian Johansson, City Mission’s chief operating officer, “they also get a Bible and a family board game. We’re trying to create a family holiday experience for them at home.”
This is the second year City Mission distributed the boxes, last year handing out 105 during the event at the Samaritan Care Center. The center is City Mission’s year-round community outreach program.
“We depend on the community, and we give back. As the mission has grown, so has our outreach to the community,” Smith said.
Greene County’s Corner Cupboard Food Bank, meanwhile, is moving its focus toward those who may be in need on Christmas. The organization’s third annual holiday food drive will be held Nov. 29 on the steps of the county courthouse, from 9 am. to 6 p.m.
They will be collecting nonperishable food items as well as monetary donations to assist Greene residents.