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Christmas food drop helps thousands
Feed the Boro distributes 1,000 packages to 825 vehicles
Christmas food drop
Sgt. Angelica Mijares-Walker of the U.S. Marine Corps gives eggs to those waiting in their vehicles as Feed the Boro offers another food drop at Statesboro High School on Saturday, Dec.12. With $13,000 of federal Coronavirus Relief Fund money, the city of Statesboro is working with Feed the Boro to supply some free groceries to area families in need through monthly Saturday morning drive-thru distributions in January, February and March.

 With the COVID-19 pandemic creating economic hardship across so many parts of the Bulloch County community, Feed the Boro coordinated a Christmas emergency food drop Saturday at Statesboro High School.

The overwhelming need was evident immediately as vehicles began lining up before 5 a.m. to receive a seven-day package of food prior to the Christmas holidays.

By the time the food distribution began at 9 a.m., hundreds of cars were in line, and Feed the Boro Chairman Don Poe estimated that 825 vehicles went through the line by the time the 1,000 packages were given out two hours later.

“What is going on out here is amazing,” said Statesboro Mayor Jonathan McCollar. “Feed the Boro is doing a herculean-type event today to serve the people of our community, and we are grateful for them.”

Poe said each package contained 25 pounds of non-perishable food, and families were given orange juice, oranges, eggs, pecans and chicken patties on top of the package.

Poe estimated there still were about 200 cars waiting when the food packages ran out at about 11 a.m.

“We already knew of the great need too many people here have for the basic food necessities,” Poe said. “We don’t have any current plans for another food drop, but we could organize one quickly if enough funds became available to purchase the food.

“We need civic organizations, businesses and individuals to make donations and sponsorships to make a difference,” he said.

Poe said he “appreciates the generous support of BI-LO, D&R Automotive, J.C. Lewis Ford, The Warehouse, Davis Marketing, SEGA Golf, Homestar Financial, The Islands, Lori Grice Photography, Bluesky Wallcoverings, East Georgia Oral Surgery, Statesboro Floor Covering, Statesboro Service League (and) Statesboro Rotary, as well as individual donations.”

Christmas food drop
Vehicles wind around the football stadium at Statesboro High School for Feed the Boro's food drop on Saturday, Dec.12. (SCOTT BRYANT/staff)

 

Help give the gift of food

With this being an unscheduled addition, Feed the Boro needs donations to help cover the cost of the food drop. They are asking businesses and individuals to sponsor a meal for an individual or a family. A contribution of $15 can sponsor a family of three; $25, a family of five; $100, 20 people; and so forth.

If you would like to donate, mail or drop off a check at Feed the Boro, 701 Baytree Lane, Statesboro, GA 30458.