Food bank director offers report at Chamber coffee

“That’s a total of 56,829 pounds of food,” she said. “As you can see we go through lots and lots of food.”

Rooker said she often hears heartbreaking stories of families and individuals who are down on their luck and are trying to find a job. She said many have lost not only their incomes, but their homes.

“We hear lots of sad things,” she said. “Many people just don’t have what we take for granted.”

The food bank has also been affected by the hard economic times, she said, and has lost several long-time sponsors.

“But overall, I can’t complain, we have a very giving community that makes me glad to live in Madison County,” she said.

The food bank is open Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rooker said those seeking assistance need to have a referral from an agency such as DFCS, home healthcare, a hospital or from someone such as their church pastor.

Donations are tax-deductible. Monetary donations can be mailed to the Madison County Food Bank, P.O. Box 147, Danielsville, GA 30633. The phone number is 706-795-5465. Those who wish for their donation to go for items other than food, such as soap, toothpaste, etc., should write “non-food donation” on the memo line of their check.

ACTION OFFICE RE-OPENS PART-TIME

Chamber members also heard that the local ACTION office has re-opened part-time. The local office is located adjacent to the food bank in basement of the multi-purpose building on Sunset Avenue.

ACTION director Margo Fowler said the office is open Monday through Friday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. She said those seeking assistance should call 706-795-2180 for an appointment.