Before the ribbon could be cut Thursday on Golden Harvest Food Bank’s new produce reclamation center, it had already been utilized as the space officials hoped it would one day become.
“When we dreamt of this space, we imagined a facility of true collaboration. We knew that it could become a regional hub of support,” said Amy Breitmann, the organization’s CEO and president.
Eight days prior to the ceremony and before the first produce could be sorted, the facility became just that – a hub of support – a space the American Red Cross could utilize as it mobilized relief efforts for residents along the Georgia and South Carolina coast under the threat of Hurricane Debby.
“Never before in our history would we have been able to offer the kind of storage and logistical assistance that sits behind you. All of that food that sits behind you belongs to the American Red Cross,” she told those gathered about the wrapped pallets of food in the warehouse space. “It allowed us to open our doors and truly to become a collaboration before we ever cut the ribbon.”
The Produce Rescue Center replaces a 1965 warehouse known as the Faith Food Factory across the street from its administrative building and warehouse on Commerce Drive.
An initial $3.7 million grant from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs in partnership with the City of Augusta through CARES Act funding jump-started the $10 million project.
Rusty Haygood, Deputy Commissioner of Community Development and Finance with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, said when they learned of the CARES Act funding Georgia would receive, they wanted to find the best way to make use of it without duplicating efforts. Initial thoughts included rental assistance and broadband help for children who were learning from home during the pandemic.
When other options filled those gaps, investing in food bank initiatives within the Feeding Georgia network made the most sense, he said, and nine projects involving new construction or upgrades have been completed representing a 44% increase in food bank capacity.
In the 25-county region in Georgia and South Carolina that the Golden Harvest Food Bank serves, one in four children and one in every seven people face hunger, said Breitmann.
Emma Sinkfield with the Family Connection of Warren County sees those affected by food insecurity daily. Sixty-seven percent of senior citizens in the county are low-income with some living off monthly checks as little as $384. They rely on Golden Harvest Food Bank and are there waiting when it arrives.
No county is exempt from hunger. Even Columbia County has residents facing hunger.
Bobby Christine, District Attorney for Georgia’s Columbia Judicial Circuit in Evans, said people are often surprised when they find out about Columbia County Cares, the county’s food pantry. So far in 2024, 13,000 children in Columbia County have benefited and more than 1.1 million meals have been provided.
Breitmann said she’s often inspired by a quote from Margaret Mead.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has,” Breitmann said.
That thought applies to those in the Augusta area who believes they can make a difference to eradicate hunger, she said.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years and is a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
