Needy Families Receive Free Food Thanks to Hands on Mississippi
The Helping Hands Food Program and Bay Area Food Bank partnered up through Hands on Mississippi to bring fresh food from local grocery stores to those living paycheck to paycheck. Holly Gibbs of Hands on Mississippi says, "They may only need it just this one time or they may need it often, but our program is here just to help them, for them not to be ashamed that they can’t make it work. You know, there is no point in that. We need to help our neighbor. That’s what we’re here for."
From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., around 25 volunteers helped set up close to 400 boxes of fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, and snacks just in time for residents of Harrison County to start lining up. The rain and the cold weather could not stop families, men, and women from coming in and making sure they had the chance to get fresh food.
All that was required to receive a box of food was an ID to prove residency in Harrison County. Residents could also take more food depending on family size. For Gulfport resident, Gwendolyn Victorian, the food drive was a blessing that came at just the right time. She says, “I can use some food, you know, because I’m on a fixed income and everything and every bit helps and this is my first time ever seeing this. This is so nice. This is really nice and my mom is going to love it.”
Victorian was forced to resign from her job due to health issues. She now lives with her mother, who was diagnosed with dementia two years ago, but that was not enough to stop Victorian from giving back when she can. She also says, "I volunteer. I like to give back because one time, I had a lot and I got a lot and there’s nothing wrong with giving back."
Since August of 2014, Hands on Mississippi has fed over 45,000 people and by the end of 2015, that number is expected to triple.
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