Feed the Boro (FTB) is still considered a Thanksgiving Day tradition in Bulloch County, although it may look a little different from years past. 2021 is set to be a record setting year for FTB as it approaches providing over 500,000 meals to our community since initiating the Family Food Drops.
With this month's project, FTB's goal of providing food, love, and hope to as many people in Bulloch County as possible will continue. As with last year and previous Food Drops throughout the year, FTB has partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank to host a 1,000 family food drop. The FTB committee recognizes that food insecurity is much greater these past few years in our community. Therefore, instead of simply providing a family one hot meal, the committee decided to impact each family with enough food for one week.
Emergency food drop begins at 8 AM
The Thanksgiving food drop will be held Saturday, November 20, beginning at 8 am at Statesboro High School, 10 Lee Hill Boulevard. FTB volunteers will be distributing two tractor trailer loads of food, enough to feed 1,000 families for one week.
Due to COVID, this food drop is considered an Emergency Food Drop. For this reason, there is NO financial requirement to receive food. ANYONE in Bulloch County who needs food is encouraged to participate, but you are encouraged to get in line early.
Volunteers will end the distribution at noon or earlier if the food supply runs out.
NEED FOOD? Here is how to get it
To participate, you should enter the Statesboro High campus from the back side off Fleming Drive. You will enter the road that runs between the SHS football stadium and the school building, then proceed into the parking area where the distribution will be held. The gates on Blue Devil Drive and the entrance off Lee Hill Boulevard will be closed. The only way to enter will be off Fleming Drive.
FTB volunteers will be following strict COVID protocols in making this a contactless delivery. When citizens reach the distribution area, they will need to have their trunk open and cleaned out. SUV’s will need the rear to be accessible and cleaned out also.
Volunteers will not be allowed to touch nor move items around in your vehicle. If it is not cleaned out, they will only place what is possible in the space available. You WILL NOT receive the full distribution if there is not space to put the food items.
Cars will slowly roll through food stations without stopping. Having your trunk cleaned out is imperative to prevent slowing the distribution down for others in line.
Food Lion and community step up for Feed the Boro
“There is no way we could continue this incredible community event without the generosity of our community in the form of monetary contributions and unselfishly volunteering their time”, said Don Poe, FTB Chair. “I am overwhelmed each year by how our community comes together to help others in our community who are struggling.”
“We want to especially thank Food Lion for stepping up this year as our Presenting Sponsor and PoJo’s Country Store as our Gold Sponsor”, said Poe. “Local Food Lion Manager Tod Marsh and his staff have been very engaged in the planning for this year’s event and also other Food Drops. We are especially excited for a visit from Grant English, Food Lion Director of Operations in North Georgia, at this year’s Food Drop.”
Although volunteer spots may be filled, there is another way you can help. FTB encourages you to sponsor a meal for an individual or a family. For a contribution of $15 you can sponsor a family of three. $25 – family of five, $100 – 20 people, etc.
Thanks to our generous sponsors, it only costs around $5 per person to provide groceries for a week.
How you can help
Feed the Boro continues to raise funds to help with this and other FTB projects. Two easy ways to give are through a check made payable to: Feed the Boro, P.O. Box 2736, Statesboro, 30459 and also online at www.feedtheboro.com.
With your help, this will be another great Thanksgiving for our community.
