GAINESVILLE - As many families made plans for holiday gatherings, meals and celebrations, one in five people in the Gainesville area still faced the uncertainty of not knowing if a next meal will even come at all.
“Hunger does not go on holiday,” said Kay Blackstock, executive director of Georgia Mountain Food Bank (GMFB). “In fact, often the holidays can be even tougher times for families since they come at the end of the month when money and food stamps are short or gone, the kids are out of school and not receiving free meals, and many helping organizations are closed or have reduced staff. That is why it is important that GMFB, and our more than 60 partner agencies, work hard year round to try to ensure hardworking neighbors don’t have to face these kinds of tough realities, especially around the holidays.”
The good news, Blackstock added, is that in 2015 GMFB made great strides in its fight against hunger, including:
*Distributed more food than the year before, a number that continues to rise each year with more than 27 million pounds of food that has passed through its warehouse since 2008 to agencies, programs and special projects.
*Served more than 30,000 people monthly through more than 60 partner agencies.
*Hosted more than 2,964 volunteers who donated more than 4,542 hours of service.
*Received the proceeds from more than 95 community food drives collecting more than 55,000 pounds of food.
*Built relationships with corporate food donors receiving more than 750,000 lbs. of food.
*Worked with community partners to strategically identify areas not already being served and helped to place nine new agencies.
*Held its first Agency Conference for collaboration with 16 agencies in attendance representing four of the five counties GMFB serves.
“At Georgia Mountain Food Bank, we believe that in working together we can solve hunger,” Blackstock continued. “It is through community collaborations, tremendous support of our corporate partners and relationships with our agencies that we can accomplish work like this and begin to make an impact on hunger in our five-county service area of Hall, Forsyth, Dawson, Union and Lumpkin counties.”
“We ask (as the year draws to a close that you) consider giving a gift to provide a meal for a family facing uncertainty this holiday,” said Kevin Price, board chair of GMFB. “For every dollar donated to GMFB, we can provide five meals to those in need. It’s a gift that is more than just food – it is a gift of hope, grace and love to those who need it the most.”
To give a year-end gift, visit gamountainfoodbank.org/2015-gift or call 770-534-4111.
