Appalachia families getting food boxes.

Thousands of food boxes in one month

October 17, 2024

Thousands of families across the country are receiving much-needed support as Americans Helping Americans® ships out 15,120 food boxes this month. Each box contains approximately 25 pounds of nonperishable items, including:

  • Canned meats, vegetables, fruits, soups, and stews
  • Pantry staples like rice, pasta, and beans

These food boxes provide enough nourishment to feed a family of four for an entire week, alleviating hunger and providing hope to those in need.

Partner Organizations Receiving Food Boxes

Restoration at the Well – Columbia, Maryland

Among the partners of Americans Helping Americans® receiving the food boxes is Restoration at the Well in Columbia, Maryland. A spokesperson for the nonprofit organization told us that the food boxes are for:

“Those recovering from drug and alcohol abuse with children to make sure they have a fair shake in life.”

Following a previous distribution, Restoration at the Well reported that their clients were provided with the food boxes as well as clothes donated from their local community dress and men’s shops.

“Your food boxes were a tremendous help to this endeavor.”

Ecomfort – Pensacola, Florida

Another partner receiving food boxes is Ecomfort in Pensacola, Florida, whose mission is:

“We focus on making the maximum positive effort for our community. Our members and volunteers provide the momentum that helps us affect change. Using data-driven models, we provide solutions.”

Ecomfort operates a food pantry and soup kitchen that is open weekdays, and its resource coordinator is on-site every Tuesday and Thursday to help individuals get connected with other local agencies.

Friendship Central School – Friendship, New York

In Friendship, New York, Friendship Central School will also be receiving food boxes this month. The school’s principal’s secretary, Jackie Dent, reported this summer after receiving 924 food boxes from Americans Helping Americans® that they were:

“A welcomed blessing” for the families of the students.

Mountain Comprehensive Care Center – Clay County, Kentucky

In Clay County, Kentucky, the Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, a community mental health center whose mission is to provide quality care that offers recovery and hope, will be receiving food boxes for distribution.

Feeding My Sheep – Buchanan County, Virginia

In Buchanan County, Virginia, Feeding My Sheep, a nonprofit organization that wants to work in partnership with people of faith and conscience around southwest Virginia to end hunger and give hope to the needy, will also be receiving food boxes to distribute to those in need in its community.

Veterans Housing Support – Fairfax County, Virginia

And in Fairfax County, Virginia, Veterans Housing Support (a project of Americans Helping Americans®), an innovative and person-centered program dedicated to empowering veterans experiencing homelessness, will also be receiving food boxes to distribute to clients residing in safe, affordable housing provided through the program.

Grants for Holiday Meals in Appalachia

With the holiday season fast approaching, Americans Helping Americans® is providing grant funding totaling $32,500 to four partners in Appalachia to ensure that thousands will enjoy festive Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies – Jefferson City, Tennessee

In Jefferson City, Tennessee, our partner there, Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies, is receiving a $5,000 grant to provide 400 families with turkeys or hams.

Big Creek People in Action – McDowell County, Tennessee

In McDowell County, Tennessee, our partner there, Big Creek People in Action, is receiving an $8,000 grant to provide 360 families with 700 individuals with a turkey or ham for a traditional holiday meal that includes all the trimmings.

In addition, Big Creek People in Action Executive Director Dyanne Spriggs said that a portion of the grant funding will be used to purchase about 20 turkeys to prepare turkey casserole, mashed potatoes, and green beans for a Christmas meal for approximately 600 people.

“Hunger will be alleviated for a while through providing a full holiday meal at the Christmas party and a food box and turkey to provide other meals to people who are at risk of hunger,” says Dyanne.

Cumberland Mountain Outreach – Lee County, Kentucky

In Lee County, Kentucky, our partner there, Cumberland Mountain Outreach, will be receiving a $10,500 grant to provide 400 families with vouchers to purchase Thanksgiving turkeys as well as to provide food for a Christmas party for at least 250 low-income children and 170 adults.

LAMP Ministries – Gainesville, Georgia

And in Gainesville, Georgia, our partner there, LAMP Ministries, is receiving a $9,000 grant to prepare Thanksgiving dinner:

“For people who otherwise would not have a holiday meal and likely not any meal that day,”

said LAMP Executive Director Mary Mauricio, who this year expects to serve 1,500 individuals, up from 1,000 who were served last year.

The dinner, says Mary, provides:

“Help and nutrition for those served, help for volunteers and the community to see that there is a problem with hunger and homelessness and that they can help.”

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