Helping feed Trousdale's hungry

With more than 18 million families going hungry in the United States, The First Baptist Church of Hartsville and several other organizations came together last Friday to help feed Trousdale's hungry.

"First Baptist Church donated $2,500 to bring in a truck from Second Harvest that had $2,000 worth of food, plus a lot of donated food from grocery stores like Publix, Kroger and places like that…" said volunteer Jennifer Edwards.

"The church just wanted to help those in need. We gave them what we could give them."

More than 40 volunteers came out from the church, including others from several of the local churches, to help hand out over 180 boxes. Edwards added that the group hoped to reach between "300 to 400 households" by the end of the day.

While it has been two years since First Baptist has been able to do the mobile food pantry, Edwards said that the lack of grants has made it hard for the church to reach out to the community.

"The church decided to spend some of their own cash to make this happen."

Edwards added that the help from the Sheriff's office and the inmates, plus the volunteers, have made this event successful.

"The inmates were a huge help, and they help with so many other things in the county. We really appreciated their help. We are grateful that our community comes together like it does, and helps one another."

Muller Industries, freds, Piggly Wiggly, Foodland and Minute Mart also pitched in and donated boxes and bags for the food donations.

"It was wonderful. We are grateful for all of the community support and all of the help," Edwards said.

For more information about mobile food pantries, contact Second Harvest at 615-329-3491 or visit secondharvestmidtn.org.

Managing Editor Marie Corhern can be reached at 615-779-3133 or by email at thevidette@bellsouth.net.