Golden Harvest Food Bank staff alongside local and state elected officials during Feeding The Future roundtable discussion. At a time when the number of people visiting Golden Harvest Food Bank for food resources continues to rise, elected officials are drafting legislation to govern the food programs that we use to help feed our neighbors. Every five years, Congress reauthorizes the farm bill, the centerpiece of federal legislation that provides healthy, nutritious food for those across the country facing food insecurity. Programs that the Food Bank depends on to help alleviate hunger in our community, like SNAP (Supplemental [...]

Colton volunteers alongside his parents, Hannah and Danny, as well as his siblings at Unity Outreach. The cost of a trip to the grocery store has skyrocketed in the last year, and local families are feeling the impact. At the Unity Outreach Church Food Pantry, Hannah, Danny, and their children have taken home much-appreciated fresh and nonperishable items for their kitchen. “It’s helped us out a lot. We have a family of 10, and so with groceries as high as they are, it’s definitely helped us out tremendously,” said Hannah. The food pantry at Unity Outreach hosts [...]

.j A joint letter to our leaders and community members from Amy Breitmann, President and CEO of Golden Harvest Food Bank, and Brittany Burnett, President and CEO of United Way of the CSRA As we walked together through the warehouse at Golden Harvest Food Bank's Augusta distribution center, we paused to look at the long line of shelves before us. Where there were once rows full of palletized foods ready to be distributed to our partner agencies, now stood empty spaces between partially full shelves: a clear indication of the decrease in food donations and government food [...]

Shellah and DaMonda picked up food and diapers for their children at GAP Ministries, a partner agency in Downtown Augusta. With grocery bills skyrocketing, Augusta mom DaMonda knew where to find relief. GAP Ministries opens its doors every Thursday morning, providing a food pantry and other vital resources for the Downtown Augusta community. DaMonda, who had picked up groceries from GAP a few times before, brought her friend and first-time guest Shellah. “GAP Ministries is very, very helpful, especially with what’s going on right now,” said DaMonda, after shopping in the pantry. “Everything in the economy has [...]

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot joins GHFB President & CEO Amy Breitmann, Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, and board members for groundbreaking ceremony. In February, we were honored to welcome Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot on a momentous day for our Food Bank. We kicked off her visit with a groundbreaking ceremony for our new Produce Rescue Center. This new facility will replace the current Faith Food Factory across the street from the main Augusta warehouse. The Produce Rescue Center will allow us to drastically increase the amount of fresh produce, meat, and dairy items we can distribute to our neighbors [...]

Employees from Wheels Up joined Golden Harvest staff to prepare and serve meals to our community members at The Master’s Table soup kitchen.  Private aviation company Wheels Up has partnered with Golden Harvest Food Bank for a third year as a part of their Meals Up initiative with Feeding America. “There’s a lot of folks who are food insecure, and as much as we can help, we’re here,” said Gary Spitalnik, co-founder of Wheels Up. “This is a very important week coming up for Augusta and the golf world, and I think the true champions are here [...]

Pastor D. Armstrong and Chief Operating Officer Lakesha Armstrong run The Love Center, a partner agency that provides food and other resources. Just behind the door on Fenwick Street, there is music playing, a hot meal being prepared, a lively game of spades, a table offering hand sanitizer and resources, and a toddler waving at guests walking in. There is a feeling of community in The Love Center. Run by the organization I Am My Brother’s Keeper, The Love Center is located inside Augusta’s Harrisburg neighborhood and serves many guests experiencing homelessness. The facility offers a warm [...]

When Mary comes to The Master's Table, she feels like she's visiting a big family. "I love to cook, but it's no fun eating by yourself," she said. "They know me here, and that's what I like about it." Mary heard about The Master's Table from a friend about three years ago, and she has enjoyed visiting with our friendly staff members and receiving a nutritious meal ever since. "The food is good, the people are kind and courteous. I like the surroundings, I like the people, and I truly look forward to it," she said. [...]

Larry visits The Master's Table for lunch with his service dog, Lady Haley. Larry's service dog, Lady Haley, waited for him patiently in the courtyard while he enjoyed a hearty lunch of chili over rice. After visiting The Master's Table for the last few weeks, he said it's his favorite meal at the community kitchen so far. "The food is awesome, and I'm grateful to have it," he said. Times have been difficult for Larry. Having been homeless on-and-off for years, he recently moved to Augusta, where he found The Master's Table. Here, he has been able [...]

Rashetta visits the food pantry at Belle Terrace Presbyterian Church. The skyrocketing cost of a trip to the grocery store is hitting local families hard, and many of our neighbors are visiting our partner food pantries for the first time. Rashetta heard about the food pantry at Belle Terrace Presbyterian Church from a neighbor. With grandchildren to feed and inflated prices putting essential food items out of reach, she decided to give the program a try. “This place really does help,” she said. “The food I got from the pantry will last us about three or four [...]