Grace McAlister
Reporter1@riverbendnews.org
Catholic Charities is an organization working to alleviate food insecurity. The organization has made a reputation locally by overcoming hardships to provide for Suwannee, Hamilton, Lafayette, Columbia and Union County residents. However, the job became more difficult as their refrigerated truck had tremendous, excessive repairs. Catholic Charities needed a new refrigerated truck; so, philanthropist Joe Persons donated a $15,000 starter check and challenged Catholic Charities to raise funds to purchase another truck. The old truck was a 2007 model that traveled a minimum of 1,500 to 2,000 miles a week. Catholic Charities used the truck to deliver food five (sometimes six) times a week.
During Catholic Charities’ 2020 fiscal year, the agency distributed over three million pounds of food through the Florida Gateway Food Bank program and the organization has continued to expand, growing out of their 22-foot truck. They made it their goal to purchase a 26-foot refrigerated truck with a liftgate.
Recently, Catholic Charities was able to purchase a 2022 Kensworth 26-foot refrigerated truck with an electric liftgate with the help of the community, who raised $145,000. On Thursday, March 10, Catholic Charities held a dedication ceremony for their new truck, HUNGER ONE. The ceremony featured a ribbon cutting, a tour of the facility and a barbecue lunch to thank the community for their donations.