Members of the Statesboro community, as well as county, state, and federal officials, gathered near the intersection of Northside Drive West and Miller Street at 11am on Tuesday, June 27th, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Statesboro Food Bank.
Set to be completed by the end of the year and housed in roughly 12,000 square feet, the building will include classrooms, offices, a cafeteria, and a warehouse.
Interim Executive Director, Sheila Stewart-Leech, says the new location will also have outdoor space, like a pear orchard, garden, and a shelter with tables. The building's design has been carefully planned to be as sustainable as possible, including permeable ground cover to prevent flooding and run-off issues.
Bulloch County Commissioner Roy Thompson spoke his appreciation for the growth of the food bank by saying, "Can you remember a few years back before things really got good with the food bank? You could ride around mostly any morning and you would see a little truck loaded down with food, with one man sitting in the driver's seat. That one man went to every store he could and collected whatever food he could get."
That man was Joe Bill Brannon, and with the help of his daughter, Jodi Brannon, they started a system for being able to help the citizens of Statesboro and surrounding communities be able to obtain food they may not otherwise be able to afford.
At the groundbreaking, Statesboro Mayor Jonathon McCollar said, "This is an amazing moment within our community because it means we took our concerted talent and effort to put our resources together to do something for those that may be in vulnerable situations... It speaks to the spirit of our community. Words cannot express the gratitude I have to be a part of this, but we cannot even put into words the legacy of Joe Bill (Brannon) and the board of directors in working to make this happen."
The Statesboro Food Bank board and employees hope to be able to offer hot meals every day, as well as classes for all ages regarding healthy living, cooking, and gardening, and will continue to offer USDA food boxes for families that qualify.
The building's location will be a public transportation bus stop, which will allow greater accessibility for citizens in need.
How you can help fight hunger in Bulloch County
For the latest updates on the Food Bank’s building campaign and other important Food Bank news, follow their Facebook page, Statesboro Food Bank News. Interested donors can also join the online campaign at www.givebutter.com/foodbankbuildingfund or simply text "HungerHurts" to 53555 to contribute. Cash or check donations can be mailed to the Food Bank at PO Box 543, Statesboro, GA 30459.
For additional information on ways to contribute, please reach out to Executive Director Sheila Stewart-Leach, at directorsborofoodbank@gmail.com. For those interested in volunteering, please contact Jodi Brannen at 912-489-3663 for more information and to get involved. The Food Bank extends its heartfelt appreciation to all donors and partners for their invaluable support in fulfilling the Food Bank's mission of alleviating hunger and addressing its root causes.