Final 12 months, the Center Georgia Neighborhood Meals Financial institution donated eight million meals to folks in its community.
WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Based on Feeding America, one in eight folks in Georgia is fighting meals insecurity. Meaning greater than 1.four million Georgians and meals banks in Central Georgia say they’re seeing elevated want.
The Center Georgia Neighborhood Meals Financial institution says practically 107,000 Georgians within the 24 counties it serves are in want of meals and greater than 38,000 youngsters are meals insecure.
Center Georgia Neighborhood Meals Financial institution President and CEO Kathy McCollum says in her annual replace that the necessity for meals has elevated by 25%.
She says they see increased costs after they purchase from wholesale shops and don't at all times know what meals insecurity seems like.
“We don't at all times acknowledge when somebody is meals insecure. It's not simply somebody who’s hungry for the time being, however a household that doesn't have the sources they should often present nutritious meals,” McCollum stated.
Toshiba Jackson lives in Warner Robins and went to the Warner Robins Salvation Military meals pantry. He says he got here to select up some meals for the remainder of the month.
She says that the costs within the grocery store usually are not the identical.
“It was that $100 would purchase you a basket stuffed with groceries. Now, you may solely purchase three baggage. And that is perhaps milk, bread, bologna and perhaps peanut butter for individuals who can eat it,” Jackson stated.
Captain Paula Blevins of the Salvation Military of Warner Robins says they served 51 households and 179 folks in March. In June, they served 114 households and 407 folks. That's a 127 p.c improve within the variety of folks.
McCollum says his annual report additionally confirmed a rise.
“And I used to be very shocked to see that it had elevated by 25%. It’s now estimated that in our 24-county service space, we have now nearly 107,000 people who find themselves meals insecure,” McCollum stated.
Moreover, youngsters don't know after they'll get their subsequent meal. She says one in 4 youngsters in her 24-county service space is meals insecure.
McCollum says that due to donations and bulk meals purchases, the group meals financial institution continues to distribute meals day-after-day. She says they work to search out more healthy choices when they’re obtainable.
“Low sodium, no added sugar, these issues that assist folks have a more healthy food plan,” McCollum stated.
Jackson says folks ought to know that assist is out there if households want meals. He says the town of Warner Robins ought to assist folks entry meals sources.
“If extra folks knew about this and we had extra transportation to get to a few of these locations, then some households wouldn't be so hungry,” Jackson stated.
The Center Georgia Neighborhood Meals Financial institution is at all times accepting donations at their warehouse on Ocmulgee East Boulevard, Monday by way of Friday from 9 a.m. to four p.m.
If you happen to dwell in Houston County, you may donate dry items, canned meals, and miscellaneous objects reminiscent of child system, menstrual merchandise, and bathroom paper to the Warner Robins Salvation Military at 96 Thomas Boulevard.