(Story submitted by Golden Harvest Food Bank)
The Golden Harvest Food Bank issued an urgent call to the community May 20 as the organization navigates one of its most significant supply challenges to date, arriving at a moment when food insecurity across its 24-county service area remains persistently high.
Over the past several months, food received through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), a federal program that provides millions of pounds of food annually to Golden Harvest and its network of more than 325 hunger relief partners, has decreased by nearly 40%. At the same time, donated food from retailers and community food drives has declined 27%, as businesses and families across the region continue to feel the pressure of rising costs.
To bridge the growing gap, Golden Harvest has increased food purchasing by more than 200%, even as fuel and operational costs continue to rise across the organization’s 25+ weekly truck routes.
“This is not a challenge a single food drive can solve alone,” said Amy Breitmann, President and CEO of Golden Harvest Food Bank. “What we are facing is reduced federal support, declining donations, and rising operational costs, all arriving at the same moment more neighbors are turning to us for help. Our partners are giving everything they have, and Golden Harvest is doing the same. Closing this gap will take all of us coming together as a community.”
Across the region, food pantries, shelters, child feeding programs, senior distributions, and hunger relief partners throughout Golden Harvest’s network continue to serve neighbors facing difficult seasons. The gap between what is needed and what is available is real, and it continues to grow. Even amid these pressures, Golden Harvest remains committed to expanding its reach. This summer, the organization’s Summer Harvest program will provide food to more than 16,000 families, including the launch of a first-ever Summer Harvest pilot in South Carolina through Golden Harvest’s Aiken campus and local community partnerships.
“We know many families are feeling the strain of this moment,” Breitmann said. “But we also know this community cares deeply for one another. Every meal shared, every hour volunteered, and every donation helps make room at the table for neighbors who need support right now.”
How the Community Can Help
Golden Harvest is asking community members, businesses, and organizations to respond in three meaningful ways:
- Give: Make a financial gift at goldenharvest.org to help provide meals and keep food distributions moving across the region.
- Volunteer: Serve at Golden Harvest’s campuses in Augusta, Aiken, or The Master’s Table Community Kitchen and Urban Farm, where volunteers sort food, pack boxes, and prepare meals for neighbors.
- Host a Food Drive: Bring your workplace, school, church, neighborhood, or organization together to help fight hunger by collecting high-need shelf-stable items from Golden Harvest’s Most Wanted List. For information on hosting a food drive, contact fooddrives@goldenharvest.org or visit goldenharvest.org and click “Get Involved.”
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