VALDOSTA, GA (
June 9, 2016) Second Harvest of South Georgia, the leading hunger-relief organization in the region, announces the kickoff of the Hungry Heroes program in partnership with Southeastern Credit Union, and made possible by a matching grant from the Armed Forces Financial Network (AFFN). This program is designed to alleviate hunger in active duty military/reserve and veteran families.
1 in 5 of America's active duty and reserve families are seeking food assistance from Feeding America food banks like Second Harvest of South Georgia. 2.37 million veterans nationwide have had to turn to food banks for help.� South Georgia's veterans and military families are no different.�� The Hungry Heroes mobile food pantry program will offer biweekly food assistance during June and July.� Over the course of the summer, the program will distribute nearly 500 food boxes.
Military families and veterans are eligible to come to the events to receive a pantry box filled with non-perishable food items.� The initial event was held at the American Legion in Valdosta on Wednesday, June 8.� The next distribution will be held in two weeks; information on those distributions can be found on the Second Harvest website and Facebook page.
"As chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, I am incredibly proud of the collaboration by Second Harvest of South Georgia and Southeastern Credit Union to help support our service members, veterans and their families in south Georgia. The Hungry Heroes program offers a helping hand to those who need it most, and I thank all who have given their time, energy or donations in support of such a great cause. Our service members and their families have given their all in defense of this nation, and we should always do everything we can to give back." - U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.
"Southeastern is honored to partner with Second Harvest of South Georgia to provide food assistance to local veterans and military families in need.� Thanks to a grant from the Armed Forces Financial Network and matching funds from the Credit Union, we'll be able to distribute 480 food boxes this summer." - Southeastern Credit Union President/CEO E. Michael Gudely
"Second Harvest is blessed to be able to help provide for those who sacrifice to protect us.� It's the least we can do when they've given so much for us!� We are extremely grateful for the support of Southeastern, AFFN, and the VA in helping us start this important program." - Second Harvest of South Georgia Chief Marketing Officer Eliza McCall
Second Harvest of South Georgia is the largest rural food bank in the state.� It serves a 12,675 square mile region made up of 30 counties.� In addition to its Valdosta headquarters, the food bank has branches in Albany, Douglas and Thomasville.� From these four locations, SHSG serves more than 400 partner agencies through a variety of programs including the Food Bank, Kids Cafe, Mobile Food Pantry, and Teachers' Harvest.� For more information on Second Harvest of South Georgia, visit
www.FeedingSGA.org.
Southeastern Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution serving South Georgia since 1953.� The Credit Union is owned by its 29,000+ members and governed by a member-elected board of directors.� Southeastern has branch offices located in Valdosta, Tifton, Moody AFB and Nashville.
