The 25th Annual Hunger Hurts Food Drive, coordinated by Berea College’s Center for Excellence in Learning through Service (CELTS), in collaboration with Berea Faith Community Outreach (BFCO), runs from October 21 to October 28, 2017.
Beginning on October 21st, volunteers began distributing brown paper bags, donated by Kroger, to local households. Community members can participate by filling the bags with non-perishable food and toiletry items and placing them near their front door by 9 a.m. on October 28th, for volunteers to pick up.
For 25 years, residents of Berea have supported this effort by filling the empty bags with items to meet emergency food needs in our community. All donated food will be delivered to the Berea Community Food Bank, located on Parkway Avenue, which is sponsored by BFCO. The volunteers of the Berea Community Food Bank appreciate non-perishable food donations and also welcome donations of toiletry items. A list of the most needed items is attached to the grocery bags that are delivered to local residences.
In addition to providing food and toiletry donations, community members will have an opportunity to provide emergency assistance to families needing help with rent and utility bills this winter by supporting Bereans United for Utility and Rent Relief (BUURR), also sponsored by BFCO. Look for more information and an envelope attached to the delivered grocery bags.
The Berea Community Food Bank and BURR serve more than 1,000 families who access their services annually. In addition to the Hunger Hurts Food Drive, many individuals, churches, schools, businesses, and organizations contribute food and money to the food bank throughout the year.
Residents of southern Madison County who have an emergency food need or would like to request assistance from the BUURR program can call 859-985-1903 for more information.
For more information about the Hunger Hurts Food Drive, please contact Sheila Lyons at 859-985-3935, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.