Food Bank Celebrates 15 Years

During August of this year, the Jasper County Community Food Bank celebrated the 15th anniversary of its very first food distribution for the Jasper County community. During 2009 Jason Parr and Juanita Davis collaborated to develop a community-based food bank designed to meet the needs of the local residents.

Parr and Davis contacted a wide array of local churches and clergy within Jasper County to determine interest and potential support. Over a dozen churches responded positively and now, 15 years later, most continue to support the Food Bank with volunteers, financial donations and / or in-kind donations.

After months of planning, the first food distribution occurred in August 2009 at the Church of Monticello, then located on Funderburg Dr. The Middle Georgia Regional Food Bank provided free food items to about 70 families and continued to do so, on a monthly basis, through the end of the year. In January of 2010, several changes occurred which helped the Food Bank grow into a sustainable model. First, the Food Bank moved into its own space in the basement of a building on the Square in Monticello. Although the work area lacked heat, proper lighting, flooring, shelving etc. it provided the early Food Bank a space of its own from which to grow. Secondly, because of the generosity of the community, the Food Bank was able to make its first purchase of food, allowing it to then be open twice weekly instead of once a month.

Throughout these early months and years, both Jason Parr and Juanita Davis continued to provide leadership for this fledgling enterprise. Parr led the Board of Directors as its Chair and Davis provided guidance and management of the day-to day operations of the Food Bank, the warehouse and its volunteers.

During July of 2013 the Food Bank moved to its present location at 2171 Post Rd in Monticello. Today, the Food Bank serves about 200 families weekly and continues to supplement purchases with donations of food from the community and from the Middle Georgia Food Bank. The Food Bank is able to continue to serve the Jasper County Community because of the generosity of the churches, organizations and individuals in the community.

The Jasper County Food Bank continues to be a 100% volunteer organization with no salaries, fees or stipends paid to anyone. It adheres to the USDA/Feed America income guidelines for client participation and serves only Jasper County residents. The 4th Thursday of each month is a special distribution, available to any resident who needs food support. The Food Bank’s sole mission is to serve the residents of this community.

For additional information or to volunteer, message through the Jasper County Community Food Bank Facebook page or call 706-468-6076 .