Golden Harvest launches $500,000 'It's Spooky to Be Hungry' drive after Augusta 'FIGHT HUNGER' photo

Golden Harvest Food Bank put a number on the photograph from its Augusta campus: $500,000 by Oct. 31, enough for about 1.25 million meals across 24 counties. The 34th annual "It's Spooky to Be Hungry" drive opened Oct. 1, two days after neighbors, volunteers, and hunger-relief partners spelled out FIGHT HUNGER for an overhead photo.

On Sept. 29, Hunger Action Day, the food bank asked participants to wear orange, the color of hunger awareness, and stand together on the Augusta campus. From above, the group formed a single message. Golden Harvest serves 24 counties across eastern Georgia and western South Carolina and moves food through more than 325 partner agencies. Within that service area, 1 in 6 people and 1 in 4 children face food insecurity.

Amy Breitmann, president and CEO of Golden Harvest Food Bank, said the September gathering was a reminder of that need. "It's Hunger Action Month in September, so we celebrate this team and the volunteers and everyone who takes action against hunger every single day, but also shine a light on the awareness we need for hunger in our area and in the United States".

From a photograph to a number

Golden Harvest calls the October drive its largest annual campaign, collecting food and funds across the community. "Every October, we are reminded of just how much our community can accomplish when we come together for our neighbors," Breitmann said.

Every $2 donated provides five meals, and the $500,000 goal translates to about 1.25 million meals. The overhead photo showed the will; the drive now asks for the money, donated food, and volunteer hours to match it before Oct. 31.

The clock runs through Oct. 31

Breitmann put this year's stakes plainly: "For 34 years, It's Spooky to Be Hungry has brought people together in creative and meaningful ways to help put food on the tables of families facing hunger. With food resources declining and costs rising, that support is especially important this year, and we are grateful for everyone who chooses to be part of this tradition".

How to turn goodwill into meals

People can donate online, start or join a virtual food drive, host a school, neighborhood, or workplace food-and-funds drive, join a business competition, or volunteer to distribute door hangers. Volunteers at the Sue W. Harrison Volunteer Center on the Augusta campus pack backpacks for kids, senior boxes, and October campaign packets. The food bank relies on about 1,400 volunteers a month across its soup kitchen, urban farm, and warehouses. "They can volunteer with us which is really critical," Breitmann said.

Non-perishable food can be dropped off at Golden Harvest's Augusta Warehouse, 3310 Commerce Drive, Augusta, GA 30909, and its Aiken Warehouse, 81 Capital Drive, Aiken, SC 29803.