By Haley Hughes
Local agencies that provide bags of food to those in need encourage support from the community every day, not just on Food Bank Appreciation Day.
A movement on Facebook, started by a woman in Florida, has proclaimed today Food Bank Appreciation Day and urges people to donate to their local food bank, soup kitchen or church pantry. But, really, those agencies can use assistance every day, not just today.
“If we have no donations, we can’t meet the needs of the people,” said Salvation Army of Aiken’s Capt. Angela Repass. “Those people who receive food stamps, sometimes that’s not enough. There is definitely a need in the community. Economists say we’re on an upward trend, but we’re not seeing it locally yet.”
Area Churches Together Serving gave a week’s worth of food items to 12,000 people last year, according to executive director Vicki Bukovitz, and the agency is always happy to receive donations.
“We can always use the basic staples – rice, beans, canned jelly, grits. We can always, always use those,” she said.
One food group that tends to be overlooked, Bukovitz added, is transient food for those who are living on the streets or those traveling through Aiken who get stuck here for some reason. Transient food includes pop-top cans of fruit and vegetables, soup, chili and canned meat.
ACTS also accepts bread, cereal, juice, fruits and vegetables.
Bukovitz said a grocery store’s buy-one, get-one free sales are the perfect time to pick up items to be donated.
Donations can be dropped off at ACTS from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 340 Park Ave. S.W.
“Food banks serve a vital role, in particular in tough economic times,” said Michael Gibbons, chief development officer of Golden Harvest for South Carolina. “And thanks to the wonderful support of the community, organizations such as Golden Harvest are able to help those in need throughout the year.”
Golden Harvest receives donations of food and grocery products from farmers, manufacturers, retailers, organizations and individuals, which are then distributed through food pantries and direct-service programs like the BackPack Program, according to the agency’s website.
Repass said the Salvation Army is always in need of meats.
“We like to give families ground beef, chicken and hot dogs. We always struggle with that,” she said.
Breakfast cereals, cereal bars, canned fruits and canned meats are also needed, as are brown bags and boxes for storing and carting food. Paper plates, plastic cups and plastic silverware are needed for the Salvation Army’s soup kitchen, which is held five days a week from noon to 1 p.m.
Salvation Army is looking for volunteers, as well, who can assist in the food pantry with organizing and stocking.
Bob Hottel volunteered at ACTS after he retired because he wanted to give back to the community.
“You’ll see the people who come in who have nothing, especially those who have been burned out of their home and have lost everything,” he said.
Donations can also be taken to any area Salvation Army location, including 322 Gayle Ave. N.W., 3730 Richland Ave. W., 103 Silver Bluff Road and 604 Park Ave. S.E.
ACTS can be reached at 649-3800, Golden Harvest at (706) 736-1199 and the Salvation Army at 648-0461.
Visit the Facebook event at facebook.com/events/269085429862575/![]()
Local agencies that provide bags of food to those in need encourage support from the community every day, not just on Food Bank Appreciation Day.
A movement on Facebook, started by a woman in Florida, has proclaimed today Food Bank Appreciation Day and urges people to donate to their local food bank, soup kitchen or church pantry. But, really, those agencies can use assistance every day, not just today.
“If we have no donations, we can’t meet the needs of the people,” said Salvation Army of Aiken’s Capt. Angela Repass. “Those people who receive food stamps, sometimes that’s not enough. There is definitely a need in the community. Economists say we’re on an upward trend, but we’re not seeing it locally yet.”
Area Churches Together Serving gave a week’s worth of food items to 12,000 people last year, according to executive director Vicki Bukovitz, and the agency is always happy to receive donations.
“We can always use the basic staples – rice, beans, canned jelly, grits. We can always, always use those,” she said.
One food group that tends to be overlooked, Bukovitz added, is transient food for those who are living on the streets or those traveling through Aiken who get stuck here for some reason. Transient food includes pop-top cans of fruit and vegetables, soup, chili and canned meat.
ACTS also accepts bread, cereal, juice, fruits and vegetables.
Bukovitz said a grocery store’s buy-one, get-one free sales are the perfect time to pick up items to be donated.
Donations can be dropped off at ACTS from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 340 Park Ave. S.W.
“Food banks serve a vital role, in particular in tough economic times,” said Michael Gibbons, chief development officer of Golden Harvest for South Carolina. “And thanks to the wonderful support of the community, organizations such as Golden Harvest are able to help those in need throughout the year.”
Golden Harvest receives donations of food and grocery products from farmers, manufacturers, retailers, organizations and individuals, which are then distributed through food pantries and direct-service programs like the BackPack Program, according to the agency’s website.
Repass said the Salvation Army is always in need of meats.
“We like to give families ground beef, chicken and hot dogs. We always struggle with that,” she said.
Breakfast cereals, cereal bars, canned fruits and canned meats are also needed, as are brown bags and boxes for storing and carting food. Paper plates, plastic cups and plastic silverware are needed for the Salvation Army’s soup kitchen, which is held five days a week from noon to 1 p.m.
Salvation Army is looking for volunteers, as well, who can assist in the food pantry with organizing and stocking.
Bob Hottel volunteered at ACTS after he retired because he wanted to give back to the community.
“You’ll see the people who come in who have nothing, especially those who have been burned out of their home and have lost everything,” he said.
Donations can also be taken to any area Salvation Army location, including 322 Gayle Ave. N.W., 3730 Richland Ave. W., 103 Silver Bluff Road and 604 Park Ave. S.E.
ACTS can be reached at 649-3800, Golden Harvest at (706) 736-1199 and the Salvation Army at 648-0461.
Visit the Facebook event at facebook.com/events/269085429862575/