Feed the Hungry organizers rallying to reach $20K goal
Published 11:00 am Friday, December 18, 2015
ACTION Ministries President Jeff Neumann (left) shows off a few gift certificates recently donated to the 2015 Feed the Hungry campaign by Meyers Super Valu Thursday afternoon. Standing with him, from left, are Dennis Wimberley, sales manager, C. Wimberley Automotive; Chuck Wimberley Jr., general manager, C. Wimberley Automotive; and Jim Allen, Feed the Hungry organizer. (Leader photo/TED YOAKUM)
With only a few days before the big finale Tuesday, organizers with the 2015 Feed the Hungry campaign are shifting into overdrive as the annual food drive approaches the finish line.
The campaign, designed to raise money for local food pantries, is a little more than $2,000 away from its $20,000 goal for the year. Thus far, local businesses, institutions and residents have donated around $17,600, said organizer Jim Allen.
Over the next several days, Allen and others with the campaign will continue to reach out to the community as they look to bridge the gap between their present funds and their goal before the big food drop off Tuesday morning.
Several local businesses have contributed greatly over the last several days, including the Dowagiac Family Fare and Sister Lake’s Meyers Super Valu, donating a combined $700 worth of gift cards that will be given to food pantries in Dowagiac and Cassopolis. In addition, the local Harding’s and Save-A-Lot will both give out food for distribution, Allen said.
On Tuesday, volunteers will be distributing around $20,000 worth of food to area pantries. The campaign has purchased $4,000 worth of food through the Feeding America food bank, which sells food to area nonprofits for .16 cents on the dollar, said ACTION Ministries President Jeff Neumann.
The remaining funds from the campaign will go toward ACTION, which will pay for mobile food trucks with Feeding America, which will visit locations throughout the county through 2016. The last truck paid for through the 2014 Feed the Hungry campaign just arrived yesterday; throughout 2015, 19 of these mobile food pantries distributed more than 104,000 pounds of food to area families, Neumann said.
“We’re extremely grateful,” Neumann said of the community’s continual support of Feed the Hungry. “This is an opportunity to get some much needed resources into the area. That’s the best thing about it.”
Neumann encouraged residents to contribute whatever they can to this year’s Feed the Hungry campaign, before time runs out.
“If you would like to know your money is being used for a good cause and will be used locally, this is it,” he said.
People wishing to donate to the program can call Allen at (269) 779-1691. People can also drop off donations at 1st Source Bank or C. Wimberley Ford.
