FISHES&LOAVES

Spring 2013 Number 101

In This Issue:A Message from our Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Wells Fargo continues supportof Golden Harvest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Adopt a Lunch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Meet Liz McElroy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Aiken Renovations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

FPL Foods Donation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

BI-LO’s Hunger Relief Program Provides Food for the Hungry

During the summer and holiday months of 2012, BI-LO customers participated in BI-LO’s Holiday Hunger Relief program by making a monetary donation in increments of $1, $3, or $5 at the check-out.

Thanks to these generous donations, Golden Harvest Food Bank received $119,000 worth of much needed shelf-stable and non-perishable food. With the funds that were donated BI-LO was able to donate over three tractor trailer loads of products. The products consisted of mac&cheese, ravioli, beef stew, soups, canned fruit, pasta, jelly, sugar, canned vegetables – types of products Golden Harvest would have to buy through the purchased food program. 17 other agencies in our service area received product through the Hunger Relief Program as well. BI-LO is also in the process of rolling out their store donation program to Golden Harvest and its agencies in the out-lying counties that will result in donations of bread, pastries, meat, produce, deli, and dairy products.

BI-LO has been working with local food banks to relieve hunger during the summer and holiday months for more than 15 years, donating more than one million pounds of food to feed families in the communities served. Golden Harvest is grateful to have the opportunity to benefit from their successful program.

Pictured is Barry Forde of Golden Harvest Food Bank (L), BI-LO Store Manager Keith Sizemore, BI-LO District Manager Rodney Thigpen, and Craig Garner of Golden Harvest Food Bank (R)

Almost four years ago, I was blessed to join the leadership of Golden Harvest Food Bank with very little knowledge of food banking. It wasn’t long before God revealed to me that several foundational elements are present in our DNA at Golden Harvest: Faith, Food, Funds, Friends and Fun. I believe that one thing stands out in particular, and has led to the success of the food bank and is vital to our continued growth. What is it? FAITH. Thirty-one years ago, a group of believers joined together to help hurting people through some hard times. The jobless rate was 9% and families were struggling to put food on their tables. This was when FAITH was put into action. These believers began the food bank to provide hot meals to those in need. This was the

beginning of a journey of obedience that hundreds of people have participated in and experienced together. The work that we do is challenging and sometimes we wish the need did not exist, but it is one that Jesus reminded us will always be with us. When faced with adversities in the past and challenges as we move forward, our strong FAITH remains at the center of our mission. The Golden Harvest Food Bank staff is reminded of this every day as we enter the foyer at our headquarters in Augusta, GA where we have placed this inscription:

“For we walk by faith not by sight.”

2 Corinthians 5:7

I want to thank you for your faithfulness, commitment and sacrifice in partnering with Golden Harvest Food Bank. We are committed to our mission of “Feeding Lives Together.” We cherish the experience that we share with you as the many blessings are received in the hearts and lives of those whom we serve.

Grace and peace be with you.

Travis W. McNealExecutive Director

www.goldenharvest.orgPage 2 Spring 2013

Board of Directors FY 2013OFFICERSCarol Ann Snyder

ChairCommunity Volunteer

Will Rogers

Vice ChairAmeriprise Financial Services

John A. Collins

TresurerE-Z-GO A Textron Company

Linda D. Wier

SecretaryCommunity Volunteer

Wayne Wallace

Immediate Past ChairAugusta Coating & Manufacturing Co.

MEMBERSDaniel Armstrong

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions

William H. Barrett, Jr.

Barrett Holdings

Monique J. Bowen

Georgia Bank & Trust Co.

Todd D. Brown

R.D. Brown Contractors, Inc.

Rev. C. Gregory DeLoach

First Baptist Church of Augusta

Beth Fatolitis

Walmart

Philip A. Gaffney

Gaffney Management Services, LLC

Robert C. Hagler

Fulcher Hagler, LLP/Partner

William J. Keogh, III

Hull Barrett, PC

Travis McNeal

Executive DirectorGolden Harvest Food Bank

Jeffery Miller

Club Car

John Price

Fulcher Hagler, LLP

Bob Richards, Sr.

Bob Richards Auto Group

Robert Rollings

Shannon Rollings Real Estate, LLC

Beatrice T. Sanders

Concerned Women, Inc.

Terry Smith

Community Volunteer

Beth Storey

Community Volunteer

Ben Wigington

Community Volunteer

Faith

We know how much you enjoy your Golden Harvest newsletters, but wouldn’t it feel even better to share? Pass along this copy of Loaves & Fishes to a friend, family member or co-worker. If you really miss it, you can always find it online!

Pass It On…---------- Legacy Gift ----------Want to leave a legacy to feed the hungry?

Contact Travis McNeal, Executive Director, at 706-736-1199, to learn how you can

continue caring for the hungry - even after you pass away.

By leaving a legacy gift you’ll be able to carry on the good work you’ve begun!

Spring 2013 Page 3

Adopt a Lunch

The entire day can be custom-tailored for your group. We place a large focus on emerging leadership and team building. Due to high demand for volunteer days at the Master’s Table, only 75 days are available for adoption.

Of course, the real benefit is witnessing the sheer power of feeding more than 300 people in need. This is a rare opportunity to witness the impact of your donation in real time and see the faces of the individuals you have so generously committed to serve.

To adopt a lunch at the Master’s Table, call Chris Turner, Development Officer at 706-736-1199 x 233 or email cturner@goldenharvest.org

Every day at the Master’s Table Soup Kitchen, a team of volunteers serves a warm meal to more than 300 guests ranging from homeless children to recently laid off adults. For the first time ever, we’re inviting corporations, small businesses, and civic groups to “adopt a lunch” and own an entire day at the Master’s Table. As part of the experience, your group will be asked to do two things:

1. Donate $630 – the daily cost of food and operations at the Master’s Table

2. Provide at least 10 volunteers to serve on a weekday, typically from 8:30-1 PM.

Wells Fargo continues support of Golden Harvest

Wells Fargo continues to be a generous supporter of Golden Harvest Food Bank in both South Carolina and Georgia.

Golden Harvest Food Bank was honored by Wells Fargo with a $1,000 grant at the company’s Days of Giving ceremony at the Kroc Center on Wednesday, November 14, 2012.

The donation is among hundreds of contributions, each for $1,000, to non-profits across Georgia made at community events.

“These unrestricted dollars will allow us to continue to help the community,” said Susan Hunnicutt, Wells Fargo, V.P. of Wealth Management “With the economy still suffering, the money couldn’t come at a better time.”

In January, the Wells Fargo Advisors in Aiken donated $8,000 to Golden Harvest Food Bank to go toward the Aiken County Backpack Program. They also conducted a food drive in which they brought in more than 680 pounds of food. Thanks to their generosity and hard work, we are continuing our mission of Feeding Lives Together!

“A hallmark of Wells Fargo is local decision-making and local involvement,” said Hunnicutt “Through Days of Giving we’re connecting with local communities in a whole new way.”

She added that Golden Harvest Food Bank was selected by frontline employees of the company for the honor.

“We know the needs continue to be great across our area, especially now. This is a new way to help more people and more groups that we haven’t been able to reach in the past,” said Hunnicutt.

Sheriff Richard Roundtree presents a $2,500 check for the Master’s Table Soup Kitchen to Chris Turner, Chief Development Officer – Metro Area. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office became the first to adopt a lunch at the Master’s Table Soup Kitchen in March.

Pictured are, from left, Wells Fargo’s Greg Paschal, Jennifer Feraldi and Tammy Jones and Golden Harvest’s Michael Gibbons.

www.goldenharvest.orgPage 4 Spring 2013

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions president and CEO Dewayne Wilson presented five area agencies – including Golden Harvest – a year-end donation of $10,000.

Bridgestone employees raised more than $8,000 for Golden Harvest Food Bank during their 2012 drive. For every $1 raised, Golden Harvest Food Bank can purchase more than $7 in food to help feed the hungry in our community. From left to right, James Slusher, Billie-Jo Culver, Nancy Garlick, (Bridgestone), and Mike Gibbons, (Golden Harvest Food Bank).

Girl Scouts came out to Golden Harvest re-cently to lend a hand. The troops involved were troops 415, 5140, 5225 and 5335 with a total of 92 girls. Their Troop Leader is Katie Miller.

It’s been busy at the Food Bank! To view more photos, go to www.goldenharvest.org

On Saturday, Jan. 26, at Wildwood Park, the IDGC and ADGA held the Annual Ice Bowl Tournament. Disc Golf players braved the el-ements in a food and funds drive that benefited Golden Harvest Food Bank and Columbia County Cares Food Pantry. At the end of the tournament, $2,000 and 664 pounds were split between the two organizations.

On Monday, Nov. 19 at the Garlic Clove Restaurant, area celebri-ties, politicians and TV and radio personalities served a wonder-ful Italian lunch for donations that benefited Golden Harvest Food Bank, Columbia County Cares Food Pantry and Mosaic UMC Third Saturday Love Your Neighbor Program.

On Friday, Nov. 23, 95 Rock staff held the annual Canapalooza Food and Funds Drive at Hooters on Washington Road. They broadcast live all day and had a parking lot con-cert to end the evening. They collected 222 pounds of food and raised $695.76.

Spring 2013 Page 5

WAGT NBC 26’s 1st Annual “Here for You, Here for Hunger” Campaign was a huge success! “Here for You, Here for Hunger,” a food and funds drive held during the month of December to benefit GHFB, was a huge success in its inaugural year. WAGT NBC 26 created and sponsored the campaign, and Mercedes-Benz of Augusta came on board with a dollar-for-dollar match of donations up to $5,000. The campaign raised $13,531 and 286 pounds of food. Many thanks to WAGT NBC 26 and Mercedes-Benz of Augusta for helping us “Feed Lives Together!” Pictured are, from left, Chris Still, Paige Tucker, (NBC 26) Bart Bezanson (Mercedes-Benz of Augusta), Shannon Jones and Travis McNeal (Golden Harvest).

Bill Durden, Operation Round Up Program Coordinator of Washington Electric Founda-tion (Georgia,) presented a $10,000 grant to Golden Harvest Food Bank’s Executive Director Travis W. McNeal and Grants Officer Nathan Krupa. The grant will be distributed among GHFB agencies located in counties served by Washington Electric Membership Corp. New Light Christian Fellowship, a GHFB agency in Washington County, hosted the check pre-sentation with staff members Emily Robinson (Food Pantry Manager) Dr. Tom Walker (Pastor) and Betty Walker (First Lady.) Many thanks to Washington Electric Foundation for their sup-port of rural GHFB agencies and for sharing our mission of “feeding lives together!”

Impact Co-Op volunteered at the food bank, sorting more than 12,000 pounds of food.

Travis W. McNeal, Executive Director of Golden Harvest Food Bank, poses with Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens fol-lowing the press conference at Georgia’s Capital announcing the Second Annual GA Legal Food Frenzy.

This whiskey barrel bar was donated to Golden Harvest. It can be yours for $500, which will go toward the operations of the Master’s Table Soup Kitchen.

Golden Harvest Food Bank sent a mobile food pantry to Swainsboro, where they distributed more than 10,000 pounds of food.

Find Us on and

Spring 2013www.goldenharvest.orgPage 6

Spherion donated $1,000 to help Golden Harvest.

Special thanks to Grainger and CEO Greg Clark for their gener-ous donation of $5,000 to Golden Harvest Food Bank. A Leadership Partner for the past two years, Grainger has accounted for more than $70,000 worth of groceries donated to the local hungry.”

AIA/USGBC Party donated $560 to Golden Harvest Food Bank.

MAU Workforce Solutions generously donated $20,000 to Golden Harvest in December. We would like to personally thank CEO Randy Hatcher for his community leadership and unwavering commitment to feeding lives together.

Elanco became presenting sponsor of the Master’s Garden at the Master’s Table Soup Kitchen with a gift of $12,000 in December. As part of the sponsorship, the lo-cal animal health company will host an employee day of service to renovate the garden with new beds, seasonal produce, and a large composting bin. Elanco employees will volunteer at the garden throughout the year.

Liz McElroy, born and raised in Ireland, has experienced firsthand what it means to be down and out, and watch God perform a miracle in restoring her life, after the loss of her husband in 2010. Liz has served for many years in Christian non-profits. Her most recent employment was with HCJB Global, an International organization headquartered in Colorado Springs, where she served as the Executive Director of Personnel for five regions span-

ning the globe. Liz has also served overseas herself, in the Demo-cratic Republic of Congo, where she lectured in an institute for men and women who were passionate about making a difference, something she believes we should all be impassioned about!

Through what Liz calls, the providence of God, when she was almost penniless, she was offered a position with Golden Harvest Food Bank. “I had reached the lowest point in my life,” she said, “and yet that was when a miracle took place.” On her return from living in Ireland, Liz was hired on as an Outreach Coordinator, for the Senior Food Box Program, and since then has been promoted to the Up-State of South Carolina, as the Up-State District Man-ager. Liz wants to use her life experiences to bring hope to others

who find themselves destitute, and who feel there is no way up or out of their trials. “God is in the business of redeeming us, no mat-ter what we face, he can raise us up from the ashes of our lives” she said, “I am living proof of that.”

Liz has a daughter, and son-in-law, and is the proud grandmother of three grandchildren. Liz is an avid writer, and hopes to publish her first book within the year. Her other interests are travel, paint-ing, interior design, and home staging. Liz speaks freely of her vi-sion for the Up-State as part of Golden Harvest Food Bank. “I want our agencies to be successful, and not only assist the needy, but go one step further in bridging the gap between help, to offering resources that lead to hope in finding work and getting out of the vicious cycle of discouraging odds. My slogan for the Up-State is, Feeding with a Future, and I am looking for more agencies to come onboard with us and partner towards that end.” Liz’s vision for the children’s weekend Back Pack Program is to see all schools in the Up-State involved in the program, with adequate back packs for elementary aged children, and Food Pantries reaching middle and high school students. “Funding is our greatest challenge,” she said, “But, for $160, a child can be sponsored for a school year. That’s an amazing gift for a child who is otherwise hungry every weekend.”

Liz is a motivational speaker, and you may contact her at 864-593-0579.

Page 7Spring 2013

The Aiken warehouse is being transformed.Those visiting Aiken will notice a newly paved parking

lot that will give a new, smooth surface that will help with those coming and going as well as loading carts. Along the far side of the property, 12 newly crafted garden plots await a chance to provide a bountiful yield of produce for area agencies. The new garden is a project being done in conjunction with the City of Aiken Succession Management Team.

Once inside, the agencies are greeted with a redesigned shopping area.

With bright colors, new windows, and a reorganized shopping flow, the newly renovated shopping area provides a wonderful environment for our partner agencies that we team up with to fight hunger.

Volunteer Carlton Morse installed two windows in the front corner of the shopping area, brightening the area, but also allowing for better communication with those in the warehouse.

On Friday, March 22, United Way’s Project Vision came out in force to put some finishing touches on the renovations. In addition to repairing our produce cooler floor, they teamed with Aiken staff and volunteers to repaint the shopping area floor and the break room.

One of our favorite new additions to the shopping area is our newest resident – Kate. Our three-foot poster of everyone’s favorite Golden Harvest little girl mount keeps an eye out for shoppers, and reminds us all why we are here, Feeding Lives Together. If you haven’t seen her video, make sure you check it out at www.goldenharvest.org.

Aiken Shopping Area Renovations

Employees from SRNS volunteer during the United Way’s Project Vision day. Among the projects they took on was a much-needed repair of the produce cooler floor..

Thank youThank you to all of the wonderful folks that made the 20th

annual It’s Spooky To Be Hungry food and funds drive a huge success! We had over 1,000 volunteers throughout the CSRA and raised $60,987.98 and 113,461 pounds of food. This provided 94,550 meals to our neighbors in need.

We have exciting plans in store for the 2013 drive! Contact Millie Robinson at 706-736-1199 x229 or mrobinson@goldenharvest.org to find out more information or to sign up your neighborhood, business, school, Church or service organization.

s of food.ors

r

Spring 2013CFC # 79048

Upcoming EventsApril 22nd – May 3rd - Georgia Legal Food Frenzy - a great opportunity for Georgia lawyers to chal-lenge each other outside the courtroom for a noble cause – reducing hunger in Georgia www.galegal-foodfrenzy.org

May 4th – Inaugural Rock ‘N’ Glow – at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center in Aiken. An evening run and tons of fun! If you get a chance, please like our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/rocknglow5K. Or, to sign up, you can visit:

http://www.active.com/running/aiken-sc/rock-n-glow-5k-2013

May 11th – NALC’s Stamp Out Hunger - Saturday, May 11. To participate in the largest single day food drive in our area, just leave a bag of non-perishable items by your mailbox. Your Postal Carrier will col-lect the items and Golden Harvest Food Bank will pick them up at the local Post Offices.

Sticky Fingers – Sticky Fingers is celebrating their 20th Birthday and are giving a present to Golden Harvest Food Bank. Every time you dine at Sticky Fingers before April 15th you can make a donation to Golden Harvest Food Bank. You can add a dona-tion to your meal ticket or just make a donation in the restaurant. Help them reach their goal by dining at Sticky Fingers and making a donation today.

Visit goldenharvest.org for more information on any of the events

listed above

Thank You Volunteers

During the 2012 holiday season, FPL Food donated more than 200,000 pounds of cube steaks, pork loins, and other frozen meat products worth an estimated $653,000 to Golden Harvest Food Bank.

As part of FPL Food’s ongoing support for the local community, the contribution to Golden Harvest was provided to help feed those in need through the 2012 holiday season. The donation will also help sustain Golden Harvest’s ongoing feeding programs in 2013, since partner agencies such as food pantries and homeless shelters frequently cite quality meat as their greatest need.

Since Golden Harvest did not have enough freezer space to store 100% of the donation in its three warehouses (in Augusta, Aiken and Liberty, S.C.), an offsite storage facility graciously donated space for the meat to be stored through the end of January.

According to a representative of FPL Food, “We are dedicated to the local communities we touch and understand the value of contributions to those organizations in need, especially during the holiday season.” Golden Harvest estimates the donation will provide more than 165,000 meals throughout its 30-county service area in Georgia and South Carolina.

FPL Foods Meat Donation

Thank you to our dedicated volunteers who donate their time and talent each week.

Nearly 100 faculty, staff, students and families of Georgia Regents University, including President Dr. Ricardo Azizz, gave back to the local community by coming out and volunteering for Golden Harvest Food Bank.

For more information about volunteer opportunities, visit goldenharvest.org.