Feed the Boro had anticipated the demand for food to be high this Saturday for their monthly food drop, but even they were surprised by the need. Cars began lining up during the night and when they began the distribution a little after 8:00 AM on Saturday, June 18, 2022, they saw a record number of cars.
Statesboro Police Department had officers on site assisting with crowd control and reported traffic backing up onto Northside Drive and East Main Street.
During holiday Food Drops it is not unusual to see a higher demand and traffic backing up. However, once the distribution begins, the lines reduce quickly.
Not this Saturday. One hour after the distribution began, the lines continued to back up onto Coach Lee Hill Boulevard.
Feed the Boro volunteers cut the lines off a little after 10:00 am and had ran out of food.
Leaders must do more to address hunger
"We are doing this monthly and each month we see the demand increase. We expected a higher demand with gas prices being so high and so many people living paycheck to paycheck," said Don Poe, President of Feed the Boro. "Thanks to our sponsors, Second Harvest and tons of volunteers we were able to help over 1,000 families. As wonderful as that is, we are only putting a bandaid on the problem. The leaders in this community MUST come together to figure out a long term solution to poverty, hunger and food insufficiency. What we are doing is not working. We can and must do more to address these issues."
The Bulloch County Literacy Council also gave away over 2,400 books to children in the cars waiting in line for food.
Volunteers and sponsors make drops happen
This weeks food drop was made possible with a partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank and their monthly sponsors. This months sponsors are Food Lion, City of Statesboro and Eagle 94.9/106.5 The Boro.
The Damascus Rehabilitation Center for Men send a team every month to help and have become vital team members that contribute to the success of the food drops.
Feed the Boro has no paid staff. It is led by volunteers, organized and operated by volunteers.
This weeks volunteers were especially incredible, braving extreme heat conditions to serve so many in our community.
To learn more about getting involved with Feed the Boro by volunteering or contributing go to their website at www.FeedtheBoro.com.
