Kenya talks about the challenges her family faced during the government shutdown. For Kenya, every day begins the same way. Before sunrise, before quiet gives way to the sound of little feet. There’s breakfast to make, bottles to prepare, clothes to lay out. With one child in school, a baby on her hip, and another on the way, mornings in her Lincoln County home are full of motion and love. But lately, that love has been stretched thin. When the government shutdown interrupted SNAP benefits, Kenya felt the fear rise immediately. “I was looking at the pantry [...]

When the shutdown created uncertainty around essential supports for millions of Americans, one message echoed across the nation: “Go to your local food bank for help." From hurricanes to the pandemic, our team has learned how to respond quickly when crisis hits. This time was no different. Within days of the announcement, food orders were doubled, an emergency distribution plan was activated, and fourteen truckloads of food were routed to our warehouses in Augusta and Aiken. Partner fees were lifted to ensure our hunger relief network could move food freely to families in need. Views on our [...]

Left to Right: Debbie Johnson (Volunteer), Logan Ford (Director of ACTS), Linda McCollum (Volunteer) At ACTS of Aiken (Area Churches Together Serving), compassion looks like action. For 39 years, this network of more than 70 churches has been a cornerstone of care, meeting essential needs through food, clothing, transportation, and emergency assistance. But when the government shutdown disrupted SNAP benefits this fall, ACTS faced a new challenge as families who had never needed help before were suddenly at their door. “We started getting calls and emails even before the shutdown began,” said Logan Ford, Executive Director of [...]

This year, our community came together with extraordinary generosity to make It’s Spooky to Be Hungry® one of the most impactful campaigns in its 33-year history. From businesses and schools to churches, families, and first-time donors, our neighbors showed what is possible when we act together. A Transformational $1 Million Gift Golden Harvest Food Bank is honored to announce a transformational one million dollar gift from Rob and Pam Johnston that will strengthen and expand the impact of It’s Spooky to Be Hungry® over the next decade. The Johnstons have long been champions of the Aiken community and have [...]

Calvin reflects on the lasting impact the Summer Harvest program has had on his family during the summer months. At a recent food distribution at Thomson High School, Calvin and his 12-year-old daughter shared how much receiving food support through Golden Harvest's Summer Harvest program means to them during the summer months. “This helps a lot,” Calvin said. “It fills the cabinets with real food we can use. We don’t have to stress as much about how to stretch what we’ve got.” During the school year, children often rely on breakfast and lunch at school to help [...]

JROTC student volunteering at Richmond County Success Center. Volunteers filled the space each day, working side by side to sort fresh produce and pack meals for children who usually count on school lunches during the school year. To meet the increased need, we expanded volunteer shifts and turned the center into a hub of hope where neighbors came together to make a tangible difference. Thanks to that support, our Summer Harvest program packed over 180,000 meals for children at 10 schools, focusing on rural Georgia counties where Atlanta Gas Light packing Summer Harvest Boxes. access [...]

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 [...]