Thanks to the 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.

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.

“Year after year, Kroger customers come together and reaffirm the power of a collective gift,” said Kay Blackstock, executive director at GMFB. “Each dollar donated, and each penny rounded up, comes together to make a huge impact. In talking to people, sometimes I hear that many believe their gift may not matter, but this campaign is a great example of how easy it can be to make a huge impact when we all pool our dollars together.”

Through the efficiencies of GMFB, five meals can be provided for every dollar donated. So, Kroger customer’s $79,211.73 gift has the potential to help GMFB provide almost 400,000 meals to the food insecure.

“Campaigns like these are a huge blessing to our efforts and will make an immense impact on our ability to feed the food insecure in north Georgia,” said Blackstock. “Unfortunately, hunger is here, and by donating to us, we can assure that the money raised will help hunger relief efforts right here in our own backyards.”

The money provided from Kroger’s campaign provides GMFB the ability to secure food supplies when food donations are low and to help provide nutritious filler on the most needed items list that are in such high demand by the more than 74 partner agencies GMFB serves.

“Tackling hunger is a big job. Generous donations like this go a long way in helping our efforts, but it takes many of these campaigns, and the entire community working together, to feed the one in five Georgian’s — an estimated 57,000 people — living within our service area who are considered food insecure. I challenge you all to follow the example Kroger customers have set by rallying your company, coworkers and friends together to make a significant impact on hunger in our own backyards.”

To find out how you can help run a food drive or a fund drive, call GMFB at 770-534-4111 or visit gamountainfoodbank.org/food-drive-resources for more information.