WALDO COUNTY — A campaign to fight food insecurity during the pandemic may be changing the food delivery system.
When the pandemic hit back in mid March a group of individuals realized they had to do something to help those hurting the most.
A group of volunteers created “Waldo County Bounty” to do all they could to make sure no one went hungry.
How can we raise funds to help support farmers and get the amazing, beautiful, nutritious food, to our community members, and to our hunger relief programs,” said Volunteer at Waldo County Bounty Mary Leaming.
The group found a creative way which is beneficial for everyone involved:
First, help support the farmers and gardeners; second, help fill the food pantries; and third, feed those who are in need of food.
“It’s a farmer, it’s a food access member, it’s a volunteer, it’s a harvester for gleaning, it’s a home-setter, it’s all types of people working together,” said Leaming.
In May, they set a goal of $100,000 which they have already surpassed.
In July, they were able to donate to 16 different hunger relief organizations in Waldo County.
In the past nine months, they have served around 8,000 individuals.
“Those of us who are able to contribute.. People look around like how can I help? I’m okay, but how can I help others in the community? And we have really, really, tapped into that,” said Volunteer at Waldo County Bounty Lissa Widoff.
Now that they have their funding they already have set their plans for 2021.
“We are tripling our spending for our farm to pantry program. We are going to have more give and take tables in waldo county. And we are also going to mobile for farms and volunteers to do more gleaning,” said Food Writer for Waldo County Bounty Mattie Bamman.
