Feed the Boro reached a major milestone Saturday, July 25, celebrating 4 million meals served while volunteers distributed groceries to more than 1,000 families at Statesboro High School
Leona Gerald was recognized as the recipient of the four-millionth meal and received a $250 Food Lion gift card. The giveaway also helped mark America’s 250th anniversary, which inspired the food drop’s patriotic theme
“Six years ago, we started doing this as a one-and-done type thing,” Feed the Boro Chair Don Poe told volunteers. “Six years later, here we are. Four million meals. It’s a bunch of meals.”
Poe credited the volunteers who return month after month to unload food, organize distribution lines and place groceries into vehicles
“You guys are the hands that do the work,” Poe said. “We appreciate it.”
Six years of feeding Bulloch County
Feed the Boro began hosting its community food drops in 2020, initially expecting the effort to be a one-time response to local needs. Six years later, the volunteer-led nonprofit has grown into a monthly operation serving families across Bulloch County
Each participating family receives enough groceries to prepare two meals per day for a family of four for one week. The food is provided free of charge
While Saturday’s milestone offered a chance to celebrate, Poe said the need for food assistance remains throughout the community
“This milestone belongs to our entire community,” Poe said ahead of the event. “Four million meals represent thousands of volunteers, generous sponsors, faithful donors and neighbors coming together to care for one another.”
Community partnerships make food drops possible
Food Lion and The Islands serve as presenting sponsors for Feed the Boro, while Shuman Farms sponsored Saturday’s food drop
Poe said Food Lion contributes $25,000 annually to support the distributions. Food Lion representatives also surprised families waiting in line with $10 gift cards throughout the morning
Tom Perry, Director of Operations at Food Lion, thanked the Feed the Boro board and volunteers for sustaining the effort
“What an amazing journey we’ve been on,” Perry said. “Four million meals this year, Don. That is just absolutely incredible, and it would not happen without the board. It would not happen without all these volunteers.”
Perry said Food Lion looks forward to continuing its partnership with Feed the Boro
Todd Marsh, who recently retired from Food Lion, was also recognized during the program for his involvement with the organization
Feed the Boro purchases much of its food through America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, which delivered the groceries for Saturday’s distribution
Elizabeth Waters, Director of Programs for Second Harvest, said the organization is honored to support Feed the Boro’s work
“You are a force to be reckoned with, to say the least, and I mean that in a good way,” Waters told the volunteers. “We are just honored to be able to play a part in that and to be able to support the community in feeding our communities.”
Statesboro High provides a home for the effort
Statesboro High School once again provided the space needed to stage the large drive-through distribution
Feed the Boro board member and food drop coordinator Richard McCombs, who also teaches science at the school, organized volunteers into two distribution lines before vehicles began moving through the campus
McCombs recognized Statesboro High Principal Keith Wright and Athletic Director Dr. Liz Driggers for the school’s continued support
Wright also addressed the volunteers on behalf of the school’s faculty and students
“We are extremely grateful to be a part of making this happen,” Wright said
Eagle 94.9 broadcast live from the event as volunteers celebrated the milestone and continued loading food into vehicles
Feed the Boro plans to continue its monthly distributions for as long as families in Bulloch County need assistance
“As long as there’s a need, Feed the Boro will continue showing up month after month to provide hope, support and food for our neighbors,” Poe said
