For five years, a neighborhood in East Athens has organized a November food drive. The recipient—a local emergency food bank. This year, they hope to meet a lofty goal. The donations have already started piling in.
Lamar Duncan is a resident of the Waverly Woods subdivision. He’s been volunteering for the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank for years. “The neighborhood is anxious to help and realizes what a wonderful process this is and the benefit that it does,” he says.
This year, Waverly Woods has set a high goal for its contribution: a quarter ton of food.
Though the food drive doesn’t start until November 10th, neighbors are already donating, hoping to meet the goal early.
Kim Ramos is the Director of the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank and a resident of Waverly Woods. She says her organization, which was founded in the 1970s, does not have income limits or other requirements for its service-users.
“If you express a need for food, and you live in Athens-Clarke County, we can help,” she says.
She says the Waverly Woods food drive is coming at a critical time. The organization is preparing for increased demand in November as the government shutdown continues and access to food benefit programs remain limited.
“We anticipate a fairly significant increase in service starting first of November through Thanksgiving being even bigger than usual, as well,” she says.
Athens-Clarke County residents can access services by calling the Emergency Food Bank at (706) 353-8182.
