A group of St. Mary’s Hospital employees and volunteers has once again made a significant contribution to the Food bank.
Every year St. Mary’s gives a free turkey to each employee and volunteer as a token of appreciation for their dedication and service. The frozen turkeys are handed out at the hospitals in Athens, Greensboro, and Lavonia; as well as additional facilities in Bogart and Watkinsville. Public Relations Manager Mark Ralston says many of those receiving the birds, then contribute them to the less fortunate.
“This year St. Mary’s Healthcare System’s employees and volunteers have donated nearly 200 turkeys,” Ralston said. “That weighs about a ton and a half of fresh-frozen, healthy, nutritious, meat to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia to help families in need this holiday season.”
He says that offering makes a big difference for those families receiving the turkeys.
“We’ve heard from the folks at the food bank that’s it’s very much appreciated. and of course at this time of year it’s very important to have that, not just the nutrition, but something that the families can celebrate with.
Ralston says they have been donating since about 2009.
“It’s our way of saying thank you back to our community and expressing our value of showing commitment to those who are vulnerable and in need.”
The Food bank provides food to over 225 soup kitchens, food pantries, senior centers, churches and other nonprofit hunger relief organizations in 14 counties: Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Rabun, Stephens, Towns and White.
For more information about the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and the agencies with which it partners, visit www.foodbanknega.org.
