Second Harvest and Feed the Boro: Combating Food Insecurity

News Summary

Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia received an honorary plaque for its collaboration with Feed the Boro, addressing food insecurity across 21 counties. Since their partnership began in 2020, they have helped reach around 1,000 families every month. The organizations aim to expand their community programs to combat the increasing demand for food support, especially during summer months when children lack access to school meals.

Statesboro, Georgia – On June 4, Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia was congratulated for its crucial role in alleviating food insecurity in Southeast Georgia. The organization received an honorary plaque from Feed the Boro chair Don Poe, emphasizing the vital collaboration between the two entities in addressing hunger across 21 counties in the region.

The partnership between Feed the Boro and Second Harvest was established in 2020 as a response to the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. This collaboration aimed to combat the increased difficulties faced by families struggling with food access during this period. Since their partnership began, they have successfully adapted their strategies to ensure the distribution of food to approximately 1,000 families every month.

Feed the Boro, an organization founded in the late 1990s, originally aimed to deliver Thanksgiving meals to families in Bulloch County. However, the global pandemic imposed significant barriers that hindered their outreach efforts. By partnering with Second Harvest, Feed the Boro was able to not only maintain its presence but also expand its services amid growing demand.

Second Harvest operates as a logistical middleman in this fight against hunger, connecting organizations like Feed the Boro with necessary food supplies. As a member of Feeding America, their mission centers on feeding the hungry and ultimately ending hunger in the region. The organization runs its operations from a new facility in Savannah, which opened a year ago, having previously functioned out of Brunswick.

Currently, Second Harvest collaborates with over 245 nonprofit organizations, significantly increasing its food supply capacity with its expansive 100,000-square-foot facility. In the past year alone, it has distributed more than 24.6 million pounds of food and established a partner marketplace, further enhancing its ability to serve the community.

Elizabeth Waters, director of programs at Second Harvest, pointed out that many of the families they serve are employed but face difficult decisions between affording food and covering other essential expenses. This highlights the complexity of food insecurity in the region, where even working families struggle to make ends meet.

In response to the ongoing need for food support, Second Harvest is planning to expand its community programs, including Kids Cafe, which is part of its summer feeding initiative. These efforts are expected to help mitigate food insecurity during the critical summer months when children traditionally rely on school meals.

Feed the Boro’s food distribution efforts are prominently showcased during monthly food drops at Statesboro High School. This serves as a testament to the strong relationship and collective impact forged through the collaboration between Feed the Boro and Second Harvest.

Food Insecurity Statistics in Georgia

An alarming report from Hunger Free America reveals that 22.4% of children in Georgia live in households experiencing food insecurity. This statistic places the state as having the fourth-highest rate of food insecurity among children across the nation. Compounding these challenges, Georgia’s decision not to participate in the Summer EBT program has led to worsening food insecurity during summer months when many children do not receive meals at school. Over 1.1 million children in the state are affected by this situation.

Furthermore, the administration of Governor Brian Kemp made the decision to opt out of the 2024 Summer EBT funding, thereby forfeiting approximately $138 million in federal benefits aimed at alleviating hunger in the state. Recent data from the Atlanta Community Food Bank indicates a staggering 60% increase in demand for meals over the past three years, driven by rising economic pressures and inflation.

The partnership between Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia and Feed the Boro exemplifies a proactive approach to addressing the significant issue of food insecurity in Southeast Georgia. Together, they are making a tangible difference in the lives of families in need. As community programs expand and partnerships strengthen, the commitment to fighting hunger continues to grow in the region.

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Additional Resources

• Grice Connect: Feed the Boro Honors Second Harvest
• Wikipedia: Food Insecurity
• Savannah Now: Georgia Food Insecurity Among Children
• Google Search: Georgia food insecurity
• Atlanta News First: New Report on Georgia Parents’ Concerns
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Hunger
• WTXL: Second Harvest Opens Facility to Fight Hunger Crisis
• Google News: Second Harvest Coastal Georgia
• Fox 5 Atlanta: Atlanta Food Bank Reports Demand Increase