For nearly 25 percent of Central Georgia’s population, finding enough food is a challenge.
That’s why food banks – like the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank in east Macon – step in to fill the gaps.
They serve 24 counties from Jasper to Telfair through the support of over 190 partner agencies, or food pantries.
“Food insecure means you don’t always know where your next meal will come from,” said director of development, Lisa Franklin.
At the food bank, they pack boxes for the Central Georgia families in need.
The need in Central Georgia is great because poverty levels and food insecurity numbers are well over the state and national average.
You might be wondering; how does food get to the food bank in the first place?
"We purchase food [and] we also have retail donors that we pick up from five days a week. Then we also have food distributors that donate food to us," said Franklin. "We really want to be known as and operate as a distribution hub."
Franklin estimates it requires 2.5 full warehouses a day to meet the needs of the people they serve in 24 counties.
"Those hungry and food insecure neighbors look just like you and I. They look like the people that your children go to school with. They look like the people sitting next you on the pew at church," said Franklin.
Included under the food bank’s umbrella are dozens of local churches that serve as avenues to get food donations to the people who need it.
