DeKalb, Cherokee events give away boxes of fresh produce, food Saturday

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Local counties and organizations understand that many families may have limited access to healthy food options. That’s why several food giveaways happened this weekend.

DeKalb County handed out more than 2,400 boxes of fresh produce and frozen chicken Saturday at three locations. Each box had 20 pounds of “Georgia Grown” fruits and vegetables along with a 10-pound bag of frozen chicken hind quarters.

It’s another event that is part of the partnership between the county and the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s “Buy Georgia Grown, Now More Than Ever” campaign.

“We got good collard greens, watermelon, cantaloupe, Georgia grown blackberries right dead in the middle of the season right now,” Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black said. “A wide variety for these families and I think they are going to have a very good Fourth of July.”

Channel 2′s Lauren Pozen attended the giveaway at Hallford Stadium. People drove out as early as 7 a.m. to get in the assembly line. Cars pulled up and then volunteers filled their trunks with the boxes.

“It’s been beneficial to my family especially with the COVID-19 and being laid off work,” one mother told Pozen.

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The goal of the event is to help fill the void of food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The DeKalb events also handed out COVID-19 care kits.

Commissioner Steve Bradshaw came out to show his support.

“We are in the heart of my district. I am just grateful for the CEO for making the mitigation for good insecurity a top priority for this government,” Bradshaw said.

The Ray of Hope Christian Church also hosted a food giveaway Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon. Families drove up and stayed in their vehicles as volunteers brought out the boxes.

Meanwhile in Cherokee County, the Woodstock Lions Club partnered with Families Food Box Program to hand out 21-pound boxes of fresh produce. The event lasted from 9 a.m. until noon at His Hands Church off Molly Lane in Woodstock.

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