When it comes to showing up for the community, Aquinas High School doesn’t hesitate. For the past several years, students from Aquinas have been a steady and dependable presence at Golden Harvest Food Bank. Their commitment to service has become a tradition, one we’ve come to count on. This summer, their impact was especially meaningful. Multiple student groups joined us at the Produce Rescue Center to pack Summer Harvest boxes, helping ensure that thousands of children across our service area had meals during the school break. However, Aquinas students didn’t just show up for summer, they’ve supported [...]

Left to Right: Robin Goodson, Mattie West, Ernestine Harris, Maudie Macklin, Gloria Simmons (Pantry Director), Venniece Macklin. In rural Hancock County, 1 in 2 children faces hunger, the highest child food insecurity rate in the nation according to Feeding America. With few grocery stores and limited transportation, access to nutritious food is a daily struggle for many families. Helping Hands is there to fill the gap. Led by Director Gloria Simmons, the agency serves about 700 families each month. From working with churches and schools to distributing fresh produce, pantry staples, and kid-friendly snacks, the team meets [...]

Adriane reflects on the impact her local food agency has had not only on her family but on those who seek assistance in her home. Adriane Smith’s home is more than just a house. It’s a refuge, a sanctuary, a place where love stretches to meet every need. With seven children under her roof, including two through foster care, and many more who come and go, she has made it her mission to keep kids from entering the system. Her own childhood in foster care instilled a deep commitment: if she could spare even one child from [...]

After stepping up as a hub for emergency relief during both Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Helene, the Produce Rescue Center has officially transitioned to its primary purpose: moving more fresh, nutritious produce to neighbors across our 24-county service area. Built with efficiency and community impact in mind, the Center now plays a vital role in our daily operations, storing and distributing truckloads of fruits and vegetables with care and speed. That means more produce on plates, fewer nutrients lost to waste, and stronger support for our 325+ partner agencies working on the frontlines of hunger relief.  And [...]

When we think of steadfast dedication and a heart for service, we think of Jesse McClam. Jesse first walked through our doors in 2018 as a volunteer and quickly became part of the heartbeat of Golden Harvest. He showed up nearly every day with a warm smile, a can-do spirit, and a work ethic that inspired everyone around him. It didn’t take long for our team to realize Jesse wasn’t just volunteering. He was leading. He officially joined our staff shortly after, serving faithfully at The Master’s Table for five years. From opening the building each morning to supporting [...]