Loaves and Fishes Partners with Hardeman County Schools During Food Drive
The Hardeman County Loaves and Fishes food pantry is holding its annual food drive in partnership with the Hardeman County Schools Monday, November 4, through Friday, November 8, 2024. The annual food drive has been held for several years right before the holiday seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas. The donations collected from the students at area schools have helped restock Loaves and Fishes, so it can continue serving Hardeman County families in need.
Loaves and Fishes, a non-profit and non-denominational food pantry formed in 1983, has served residents of Hardeman County continuously since its inception. It provides pre-packed boxes of nutritional food to county residents who have experienced hard times and need a hand up. While circumstances vary, the common denominator among the people Loaves and Fishes serve is a lack of resources to satisfy the most basic of needs – hunger.
According to Loaves and Fishes, in 2023, 250 food boxes were distributed to 159 families in Hardeman County. The majority of families receiving boxes had a Bolivar address (88), followed by Whiteville (23), Saulsbury (13), Grand Junction (9), Middleton (7), and Toone (6). The remainder of food boxes were distributed to families in other Hardeman County communities.
Highly needed items include:
Canned Vegetables – Carrots, Corn, Green Beans, Potatoes, Spinach, and Sweet Peas
Canned Meat – Chicken Breast, Manwich, Spam, and Tuna
Canned Soup – Chicken Noodle, Chicken and Rice, Cream Chicken, Tomato, etc.
Dry Goods – Cereal (not sugared), Mac & Cheese, Ramen Noodle Soup, Rice, Saltine Crackers, and Spaghetti/Pasta
Miscellaneous – Peanut Butter and Vegetable Oil
Middleton Elementary School held its food drive for Loaves and Fishes this school year in October with students collecting more than 500 cans and boxes of food. Other Hardeman County Schools participating in the food drive this week are Bolivar Elementary School, Bolivar Middle School, Bolivar Central High School, Grand Junction, Elementary School, Hornsby Elementary School, Middleton Middle and Middleton High Schools, and Whiteville Elementary School. If you have students that attend any one of those schools, you may send donations along with them throughout the week.
Loaves and Fishes accepts food and monetary donations throughout the year and is appreciative of any community contributions. You may contact Loaves and Fishes at (731) 609-2397 to make a food or monetary donation, or learn how to receive assistance, if you are a family in need.
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