‘Spooky to Be Hungry’ raises one million meals

Neighborhoods, businesses, schools, organizations, and hundreds of volunteers joined Golden Harvest Food Bank in its annual It’s Spooky To Be Hungry® campaign to raise a total of one million meals through food and funds to feed families facing food insecurity across the CSRA. 

Thanks to food and funds donated, as well as the generous $100,000 donation match from philanthropists Rob and Pam Johnston, the organization announced on Nov. 6 that it has reached goal of providing one million meals, having surpassed its monetary goal of $335,000.

“I want to express my immense gratitude for the incredible support our community has shown us, especially during these challenging economic times,” said Amy Breitmann, President & CEO, Golden Harvest Food Bank, in a Nov. 6 news release. “Reaching our goal of providing one million meals to our neighbors wouldn’t have been possible without the invaluable assistance of our volunteers, schools, organizations, businesses, and everyone else who contributed along the way.”

Under the direction of former CSRA resident Evelyn Browne, It’s Spooky To Be Hungry® began in 1992 as a fun community-driven initiative for neighbors to join together and “scare away hunger” during the month of October through collecting food and donating collections to Golden Harvest Food Bank. After continuing this way for over 20 years, in 2013 the torch was formally passed to Golden Harvest Food Bank. The organization took over operations of the food drive and transformed it into the collective food and funds drive it remains today, the release said.