Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Hundreds of people lined up throughout multiple locations in Suwannee County on Thursday, March 13, as Farm Share volunteers passed out boxes of nutritional items to families in need of food assistance.
The lines at the Live Oak First Methodist Church began to queue as volunteers put bags together that contained nutritious foods for families to enjoy. Although the distribution didn’t start until noon, the work for the volunteers started around 6 a.m., when trucks began delivering the food to the multiple locations throughout Suwannee County where the distributions took place. According to Lori Fournier, the Farm Share drive had around 60 to 70 volunteers helping at various locations.
Distribution locations were set up at the Methodist Church, the Wellborn Community Association, Friendship Baptist Church, the McAlpin Community Center, O’Brien Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Dowling Park.
“We’ve been busy so we can make sure the residents can be fed,” volunteer Krystal Detty said. Detty, with the help of her nonprofit organization, Livin’ Like Larry Farm Sanctuary, assisted in carrying bags of cat food to the Methodist Church.
Fournier stated she and Kin Weaver have organized for the Farm Share distribution, which have been held a few times a year since 2023 and has helped an estimated 900 to 950 residents each time.
“There is a lot of gratitude and appreciation from these families that participate,” Fournier said. “There is so much need in our county.”
She said that there are plans to have three more in 2025, excluding during the summer. “We will do it about every three months,” Fournier said.
The community reception has been positive, and despite the long lines that queue up, most everyone looks forward to getting the help they receive. “This is such a blessing,” a woman said as Farm Share volunteers were loading up her car.