ATHENS, Ga. — A 40,000-pound shipment of shelf-stable food arrived at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia on Aug. 27, providing an estimated 30,000 meals for people facing hunger across the region.
The donation was made through a partnership involving America250, JustServe and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was delivered as part of a nationwide initiative sending 250 truckloads of food across the country in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary.
Food bank officials said the shipment contains enough food to feed approximately 1,400 people for a week. The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia serves residents across 15 counties.
State Sen. Frank Ginn, state Rep. Eric Gisler and regional church leaders gathered at the Athens food bank to welcome the donation. Dexter Joyner, a local president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said church members helped produce and prepare the donated food.
“All the food that is coming off the food truck today was made, grown and donated by members of the church and packaged in their own warehouse in Salt Lake City,” Joyner said. “So, it’s unique that volunteers take the time to do that. It’s not something where we just go buy food and bring it in. It’s made by members of the church because they want to give.”
The donation comes as one in six Georgians faces hunger, according to Feeding America.
WUGA’s Alexzundra Tillman contributed to this report
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