Stuff the Truck food drive important for hungry families, seniors

Rising food prices, higher electric bills and housing costs are making the annual Stuff the Truck food drive to restock the Good News Outreach pantry more important than ever for Leon County’s low-income residents.

This year’s event is July 12-14.

Each year members and nonmembers of Good Shepherd Catholic Church stuff a large truck (about 1,000 cubic feet) with nonperishable food and personal hygiene items to help the Good News Outreach pantry meet the need.

Volunteers also are needed to collect donations as donors arrive, pack the items in boxes and to load the truck with the boxes. Volunteers can sign up for specific shifts at this link: Good Shepherd: Stuff The Truck ( signupgenius.com ).

GNO’s goal is to serve 2,000 unduplicated clients each year and expand the pantry hours, said Desiree Andrews, operations director.

Donations in non-glass containers can be dropped off at the church, 4665 Thomasville Road, on Friday afternoon, Saturday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 4:30-7:30 p.m. and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 – 8 p.m.

Donors also may contribute by check. Make it out to: Good News Outreach and send it to P.O. Box 3304, Tallahassee, Fl. 32315. For more information about Good News Outreach , visit goodnewsoutreach.org or call 850-692-3301.

According to Feeding America’s 2019 Map the Meal Gap, 12.7% of Leon County residents (36,930 people) experienced food insecurity in 2019, Andrews said. The same study shows that 17.6% of Leon County's children (9,540 children) also were food insecure.

“Why do we do this? Because Christ calls us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger and clothe the naked,” said Good Shepherd’s Suzanne Printy, drive coordinator. “As Christians we are followers of Christ and try to do what he calls us to do.

“We do this in the summer, because low-income children don’t receive meals at school during the summer like they do during the school year. We do this because we are part of the community, all people in the community need to eat every day, and Good News Outreach helps to nourish the minds and bodies of our neighbors, old and young, every day.”

Suggested donations

Here are some suggested items for donations:

Food in boxes, canned fruit, meats and vegetables, cereal, pasta, soup, broth, crackers, muffin mixes, raisins, tea, ground coffee, boxed milk, sugar, peanut butter, condiments, seasonings, cooking oil, salad dressings, nutritional drinks, sports drinks.

Personal hygiene: diapers, sanitary pads, toothpaste, hairbrushes, toothbrushes, mouthwash, bathroom tissues.

Good News Pantry details

Address: 606 W. 4th Ave.

Hours: Wednesdays, Thursdays 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Also 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Distribution: One bag monthly providing 6 to 8 meals for a family of four

Eligibility: Must meet guidelines of Second Harvest of the Big Bend

Contact : 850-692-3301 or info@goodnewsoutreach.org

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Stuff the Truck food drive important for hungry families, seniors