Executive Director Kay Blackstock presents colorful bowls for the Empty Bowl Luncheon as well as one of the “Celebrity Bowls†that were auctioned at the event. That bowl was Jeff Foxworthy’s “Bone Appateet!”
For some, it may be unthinkable that people in Georgia are starving, especially children. Unfortunately, it’s an everyday reality for thousands. During the pandemic, food insecurity became a reality in the United States, with long lines at food distribution facilities communicating through social media and news channels.
“The truth is, hunger was a reality long before the pandemic, but it was often hidden,” said Kay Blackstock, founder and chief executive of Georgia Mountain Food Bank. “The face of hunger could be a colleague, a salesman, a neighbor or a complete stranger you see in everyday life.”
A few years ago Blackstock worked in a building that shared a space with a blackboard.
“I knew about the pantry, but I didn’t expect a well-dressed woman to come in and then leave with a bag of food,” she said. “It wasn’t that she was well dressed. All I knew was that she came from a family that shouldn’t need food aid. I assumed she was there to visit the ballet, symphony, or junior league office.
“People make assumptions and judgments about people without knowing the full story,” she said. “The truth is, we never know what another person is struggling with.”
The Georgia Mountain Food Bank was created as a project of the North Georgia Community Foundation. Community meetings were organized and the leadership brought together. In November 2007, the Georgia Mountain Food Bank was founded in Georgia. At the same time, the organizers partnered with the Atlanta Community Food Bank. That relationship still exists today.
Food sources and destinations
Today, with nearly a dozen employees and an army of volunteers, the organization distributes more than 300,000 pounds of groceries and household items, from dry goods and staples to meat and fresh produce, to 68 partner agencies in five counties each month. Pantries operated by churches, senior centers, treatment and recreation centers, and on school grounds.
Georgia Mountain Food Bank also operates mobile pantries to deliver food directly to people in communities across Northern Georgia. In addition, two refrigerated box trucks are on the road five days a week to pick up groceries from regional retailers and bring them to the 22,000 square meter warehouse for sorting.
The sorted groceries are then distributed to the 68 partner agencies and used to supply the mobile grocery pantries, which are often open in the evenings or on weekends on the school grounds, long-term hotels or shopping centers in the area.
“Without our great volunteers, we couldn’t do what we do,” says Blackstock. “Even during the pandemic, many of our volunteers, including those who are considered high-risk, continued to help.”
During the pandemic, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp enlisted members of the Georgia Defense Force and Georgia National Guard for almost nine months so the organization can continue operating in times of greatest need.
Warehouse Manager Alec Tipton moves a box of groceries as Operations Director Charles Johnson looks on.
“The Georgia Mountain Food Bank is unique here among other Georgia food banks in that much of our inventory relies on retail donations,” said Blackstock. “These donations will be returned to our facility, where they will be sorted, checked, weighed and inventoried.”
The process continues with partner agencies receiving a weekly inventory email. Each partner orders the amount of food they need to serve their customers. Direct delivery is an option while others are picked up at the GMFB facility at 1642 Calvary Industrial Drive SW in Gainesville.
“GMFB receives regular supplies of food residues and other resources through its partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank,” she said. “There are eight Feeding America membership boards in Georgia and most are part of the Georgia Food Bank Association under the excellent leadership of Executive Director Danah Craft.”
It takes a village
It may sound trite, but it takes a village to run effective food bank distribution centers, as well as a network of food supplies and mobile distribution programs.
And the processes and procedures are monitored and audited.
“We have an annual financial audit and a full tax audit every two years,” said Blackstock. “And we are regulated for the health and safety of food donation, handling and distribution. The rescue of ready meals from restaurants and catering events is strictly regulated. These foods must be kept at certain temperatures; Donations are documented and logged.
“Our food bank accepts donations of fresh food, mostly produce and some dairy products in dates and frozen meat,” she said. “All fresh food must be distributed quickly.”
Every year in September, GMFB holds its Lunch with empty bowls. It’s the group’s only fundraiser, and last year lunch funds provided more than 830,000 meals to people struggling with hunger in Hall, Lumpkin, Union, Forsyth and Dawson counties.
This year’s virtual event, attended by nearly 1,000 people, raised $ 245,065 – enough to provide more than 1.22 million meals. The organizers exceeded their target by 225,000 meals. The live auction alone raised enough funds to provide 134,250 meals.
“We also rely on financial contributions from individuals, businesses and corporations to get our jobs done,” said Blackstock. “Although this fundraiser takes place once a year, there is hunger every day, so we rely on the community to support our mission year-round.”
Just a paycheck away
For many Americans, the loss of a paycheck or the occurrence of a disastrous event could result in starvation and even homelessness.
“From my own experience years ago, as a single mother of three, I had to make difficult decisions at times,†said Blackstock. “My children never experienced food insecurity and many of the negative consequences of choosing to buy groceries or not paying an electricity bill.
“So many people have helped us, and at the time I questioned my ability to give back everything that was given to us. I believe that working with Georgia Mountain Food Bank is my way of doing our family in return.
Here’s how you can help
“Share the story of the Georgia Mountain Food Bank, share outreach, and encourage lawmakers to stand up for programs that help families in need,†she said. “Make a financial gift: every dollar donated is the equivalent of five meals. Give your time. ”
To volunteer, contact Volunteer@gamountainfoodbank.org. To donate or learn more, visit www.gamountainfoodbank.org or call 770 534-4111.
The Georgia Mountain Food Bank distributes an average of 300,000 pounds of food to an average of 30,000 people each month. Approximately 60 percent of the food collected by the Tafel comes from retail partners like Publix, Walmart, Kroger, Aldi’s, Sam’s, Tyson, Performance Food Service, and Sprouts Farmers Markets. 40 percent of the food bought or grown in America is thrown away because of overdose, overbought, spoilage, or waste. That’s the equivalent of 108 billion pounds of food being thrown away annually, which equates to an annual value of $ 161 billion. For every dollar donated to the organization, the Georgia Mountain Food Bank can provide five meals. More than 90 percent of every dollar donated goes directly to the organization’s programs and missions. At least one person in approximately 70 percent of families who rely on a blackboard for regular meals works full-time.
* Sources: Feeding America Network, Georgia Food Bank Association.
