America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia announced this week the final phase of the capital campaign for the new facility with a projected five months until relocating to Chatham Parkway. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) entrusted Second Harvest to purchase land and build a new facility that is double the current size, easily accessible from major highways, and located a safe distance from potential storm surges. This project has been two years in the making, and the finish line is in view.
“We have been presented with an exciting and challenging opportunity, and we need the community’s help to cross the finish line. A foundation based in Atlanta has offered us a $2 million grant … if we are able to secure $2 million in matching funds by Sept. 30, 2023. Now is your chance to be a part of food bank history and help us ensure for generations to come that our children, seniors, families, and individuals with handicaps will not struggle with food insecurity and the empty pain of hunger,” said Mary Jane Crouch, executive director, America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia.
Second Harvest just closed out the Kids Cafe Summer Feeding program having served 107,130 meals and is preparing for the start of school. With this new facility and larger commercial kitchen, the organization will be able to broaden its reach into more schools with even more hot evening meals for children in need.
There are currently 29,990 children and 104,570 neighbors overall that struggle with hunger in Coastal Georgia. Through Second Harvest's 241 non-profit and faith-based partner agencies and with a more efficient and significantly larger warehouse space, representatives from the organization say they know they will be able to positively impact the lives of many more neighbors in our 21-county community.
"We need your help in the home stretch so we can reach the finish line with a strong effort! Join us and donate now or make a pledge, for up to five years. A select number of naming opportunities remain ($50k and up) but every dollar will make a difference for our neighbors in need. This capital campaign will help us grow our reach and ultimately help all those in need within the 21 counties of Coastal Georgia that we serve." -- Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia
If you would like more information about the new facility or would like to donate to the capital campaign, you can reach Mary Jane Crouch, executive director at mcrouch@helpendhunger.org or 912.721.1790 and she would be happy to speak with you, or you may visit www.helpendhunger.org.
About America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Inc.
America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia serves as a regional food bank, functioning as the food warehouse and distribution center to more than 241 nonprofit organizations and churches in our area. Through food relief programs and collaboration with partner agencies, America’s Second Harvest distributed more than 22.8 million pounds of food last year to people in need in our community – children, senior citizens, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness and others whose incomes are insufficient to meet their basic needs. To learn more about our programs and the fight against hunger in our community, call (912) 236-6750 or visit www.helpendhunger.org.