kroger-logoThanks to this community’s support, it was another record-breaking year for Kroger’s annual “Can Hunger” Food Drive. Each year, Georgia Mountain Food Bank (GMFB) is the recipient of the proceeds collected during the drive in the months of November and December within its five county service area of Hall, Forsyth, Dawson, Lumpkin and Union counties.

“We are extremely grateful to all of our customers and associates who generously contributed $66,647 to the Georgia Mountain Food Bank through our Can Hunger campaign ,” says Glynn Jenkins, public relations director for Kroger’s Atlanta Division. “Every donation goes a long way toward helping our friends and neighbors in the Food Bank’s five county service area.”

Through the efficiencies of GMFB, five meals can be provided for every dollar donated. So in total, Kroger’s gifts have the potential to help GMFB provide more than 333,000 meals to the food insecure.

“This donation is a huge blessing and will make an immense impact on our ability to feed the food insecure in North Georgia,” said Kay Blackstock, executive director of GMFB. “This year’s gift is over $25,000 more than last year, representing 125,000 additional meals we can provide in our community. Our food supplies have been lower than we like the past year, and this donation will go a long way in helping provide some of the nutritious filler on our most needed items list that are in such high demand by the partner agencies we serve.  We are eternally grateful for our continued partnership with Kroger.”

GMFB’s mission is to address hunger, health and quality of life for those in need in north Georgia. Since 2007, Georgia Mountain Food Bank, an affiliate of the Atlanta Community Food Bank who is a member of Feeding America, has provided a vital link between sources of food supplies and hard-working, community-based partner agencies that help get the food into the hands of families and individuals in need.

“Generous donations like this go a long way in helping our effort,” concluded Blackstock. “But it will take the entire community working together to continue to enhance our ability to provide food in our area. Tackling hunger is a big job. One in five Georgian’s are food insecure and estimated 47,000 people living within our service area are considered food insecure. I challenge you all to follow the example Kroger has set by rallying your company, coworkers and friends together to make a significant impact on hunger in our own back yards.”

To find out how you can help run a food drive or a fund drive, call GMFB at 770-534-4111.