THOMASVILLE — A large quantity of food remaining after Thomas County Prison closed June 30 has gone to a Thomasville homeless mission.

Several non-profits expressed interest in the food, Thomas County Commissioner Wiley Grady said.

The food consisted of large quantities of canned and frozen items, among others.

Grady said the homeless mission — on North Madison Street — feeds more than 200 people every day.

“They can use all of it,” he said.

Bobby Geer, former prison warden, remains at the facility during the post-closure period. Grady said Geer will be available to help distribute the food as needed by the mission.

The food is expected to provide mission meals for four to six weeks.

The commissioner said he has been asked why the prison had such a large volume of food on hand since the facility’s closure was decided in late 2016.

County commissioners did not know how or when the Georgia Department of Corrections would remove prisoners and had to keep enough food on hand to last through the closing.