Second USDA Food Distribution with Harvest of Hope

In a project made possible through the collaboration of Rotary Districts 6900 and 6910, the Rotary Club of Americus was able to procure another truckload of over 1,100 USDA Farmers-to-Families boxes at no charge and distribute to needy families in Sumter County.

We were notified about another opportunity on 1/22/2021 and worked to partner again with Harvest of Hope Food Pantry, Georgia Cold Storage and a number of other entities. Rotary recruited additional volunteers for another massive distribution event scheduled for February 18, 2021.

After a last-minute rescheduling due to heavy rain forecasted for Americus, the distribution event was moved to Friday, February 19. The event drew another large line of cars pulling through the back parking lot of First Baptist Church in Americus, the venue used for the monthly drive-through events which provide food to needy families in Sumter County.

The distribution event took 105 volunteers and 162 volunteer hours to distribute 1,100 USDA Farmers to Family boxes made available to Rotary Clubs and coordinated through Rotary District 6910 Service Director Doug Bolton. Each box weighed 30-40 pounds and contained produce, meats, dairy products, and a gallon of milk.

The Rotary Club of Americus is grateful for the partnership with Harvest of Hope and for the donation of space by Georgia Cold Storage and transportation by Minor Brother Farms. Additionally thanks to First Baptist Church for providing the venue, the Americus Police Department for traffic control, and the many volunteers that helped make this drive-through distribution a success.