Albert and Brenda Sutton, volunteers with the Pierce County Food Pantry, were recent guests of the Exchange Club of Blackshear.
This is a food service that offers free food to families that qualify under the Emergency Assistance Systems Program and is based on total gross income. Mrs. Sutton stated they have been dedicated to this service for approximately 14 years .
Special drive through events are set up from time to time, but most of their work happens on regular pantry days, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 p.m. until all the families have been served. Last year alone, the food pantry served over 19,000 folks, 9,000 households and gave out 725 pounds of food. Each month, they serve approximately 435 households.
The Suttons say they are fortunate to receive some government funding for the drive throughs, but not for the regular pantry days. They are also thankful for Dollar General Stores and the Super Walmart as well as local farmers for providing food. Second Harvest of Coastal GA, Sycamore Tree, DHS, and DFCS are also all partners they deeply appreciate.
“The Exchange Club of Blackshear was honored to be able to provide a donation to this much needed and worthy cause,” said Hazen.
The Food Pantry is located at 713-A Hendry Street in Blackshear, but they are in dire need of a larger building, and are praying for a miracle to come through soon. They only have seven regular volunteers and more help is needed, if you or anyone you know would like to volunteer or need more information about how to qualify for this program, please call or text 912-2882288.
For more information regarding The Blackshear Exchange Club, please call or text 912-286-8444. The Club meets the first and third Thursdays of each month at Smokehouse 84 in Blackshear, and is a service organization that raises funds to give back to the community by donating to other local programs. Their most successful fundraiser is “The Pecan Festival of GA” that will be held Saturday, November 8.
