Local Food Bank dishes out survival

Published 10:01 am Friday, December 9, 2005

THOMASVILLE — Between 20 million and 30 million Americans suffer from hunger.

The Thomas County Food Bank and Outreach Center has spent five years helping some of those in need survive.

“This is a very nice place, and they have put food on my table lots of times,” said Leannah Williams, who is 100 years young and has benefited from the food bank since it opened to the people of Thomas County on June 9, 1998. “The food bank has helped me in a lot of ways, and I’ve seen them help lots of people who didn’t have food to eat.”

One in five elderly people in Georgia lives below the poverty level and one in four children lives below the poverty level and suffers from hunger each month. Before the center opened, Minnie Roan, 84, was no stranger to hunger pains.

“There are times I have went without,” Roan said. “I would go to someone’s house and wait until they started preparing a meal and would invite me to eat.”

Over the last five years the TCFBOC has provided needed food to 58,000 individuals living in more than 6,400 homes. In addition, more than 3,332 coats and 3,306 blankets have been disbursed.

Annie C. Larkin never paid much attention to the building located at 430 North Broad Street until her husband passed away two years ago and making ends meet in her household became difficult.

“There are times when there is not enough money to buy the necessities,” the widow said. “If they weren’t here I would have to do without.”

In 1998 the First United Methodist Church was given the opportunity to purchase the property directly across Broad Street from the church. Some of the members suggested using it for a food bank because an identified need for that kind of resource in Thomas County had already been established.

Three ladies in the church researched the issue and began preparation for the establishment of a place for needy people to obtain provisions.

“On the first day we served 30 households and by the end of May 2003 that number had doubled,” said Maryline Smith, who has served as board president since the creation of the center whose mission statement is “there are those in our community who from time to time are in need of food and clothing as well as emotional and spiritual support.”

The number of people coming to the food bank for assistance has steadily grown. Each year of the center’s operation, the number of senior citizens applying for food has increased to comprises nearly 20 percent of the people served. There has also been an increase in applicants who have been involved with the justice system and the mental health agencies in the area.

Another group that has grown is the group of individuals who were employed in the businesses in the Thomas County area that recently closed. Members of these three groups have been unable to find employment but many are actively seeking jobs. Others who would have been able to find jobs working in the farming industry have not been employed this year because of the drought.

“We had no way of knowing five years ago this would mushroom to be so large,” Smith said. “The most important thing is this community has supported this much needed food bank in Thomas County. People come here who are in need of food due to whatever circumstances.”

It was also decided that other needs of individuals could be met through a center that would offer warm coats and blankets, referral to other agencies and spiritual support, leading the center to be named the Thomas County Food Bank and Outreach Center.

The coat and blanket closet, which is open during the colder months of the year, usually October through February, has met another definite need of the clients of the households in Thomas County. Many of the blankets are purchased by the center from donations received. However, all the coats and jackets are donated by individuals.

“We beg people to look in their closets and donate that coat that no longer fits or they don’t wear anymore,” Smith said.

Smith contributes the food bank’s success to the community and the support of dedicated volunteers.

“The people of Thomas County have been very supportive,” she said. “Our volunteers are what keeps us going. They feel like this is a blessing for them and a way to give back.”

The food bank depends on the dedication of volunteers to interview clients, pack food, greet and register clients, record statistics, stack shelves, procurement of food, coats and blankets, and volunteer coordination.

Mandy Hall retired from teaching the day after the center opened. The next day she began volunteering.

“I taught at Garrison-Pilcher Elementary School and I had breakfast duty every day,” Hall said. “I am convinced there were children every morning that had not eaten since they were in the cafeteria the day before.”

The center continues to operate using only volunteer staff. Having no paid staff, the center is totally dependent on the many faithful volunteers who work on a regular basis to assure that people who need food, coats and blanket receive them. Each time the center is open, it requires a minimum of six volunteers to complete all the tasks to assure that each client is served in a timely manner.

George Brown has also served as a volunteer and a board member since the creation of the food bank.

“It’s a joy you are helping so many people in the community,” said Brown who also heads up a food drive for other agencies. “There are so many people in collaboration with the food bank. The way the federal government and state is cutting back funding, we will have even more people coming here in need.”

There is always a need for more volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to call (229) 226-8791.

Along with volunteers, the TCFBOC is in need of donations, which are tax deductible. The center receives funding from the United Way of Thomas County, local foundations, individuals, churches, businesses and agencies. Many churches collect canned goods for the food bank on a regular basis and some of the vacation Bible schools have the participants bring canned goods each day. Some individuals bring bags of food each time they shop for food for their family.

“The food bank owes much of its success to this support,” Smith continued.

Because the First United Methodist furnishes the building to the center rent free, nearly 90 percent of all funding and 100 percent of all donated food goes directly to the applicants.

The center works closely with the American Red Cross, Department of Family and Children Services, Salvation Army, area churches and other agencies to meet the needs of the people of Thomas County. It is open from 3 – 5:30 p.m. on Mondays and from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursdays.

“Through the generosity of many people, the center is fulfilling its mission,” Smith concluded.

Monetary donations may be sent to Thomas County Food Bank, P.O. Box, 975, Thomasville, Ga. 31799-0975. Food, coats and blankets may be dropped off at the First United Methodist Church when the food bank is closed.

“The food bank is a blessing from almighty God,” Williams said.



To contact reporter Sandi Olson, call (229) 226-2400, ext. 226.