Life Scout Ricky Rojas, of Troop 172 at New Hope Baptist Church, North, will be coordinating a county-wide food and clothing drive to benefit the Fayette Samaritans and Real Life Center on August 15 (rain date: August 29). The collections will occur between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at several stores throughout Fayette County, and will be manned by Boy Scouts.

“The idea for this service project came about after talking to Mr. Gerald Sudduth of the Fayette Samaritans back in February, 2009,” said Rojas on his web site. “He said that the need for donations requested from this organization had increased by 30 percent ever since the economy had declined. He also said that they receive many food drives during the autumn, spring, and winter, but not many during the summer, a time when the need for help is highest.

Goals for the Eagle Scout project, named “Summer Harvest for Hope,” are to collect a total of 10,000 food and clothing items and to make the collection an annual event. Boy Scout troops in Fayette County are requested for assistance in manning the collection points and each boy helping will receive service hours and a special thank you.

These are the most needed food donation items (as presented on the Fayette Samaritans website):

Apple juice, Canned meats: tuna, chicken, salmon, beef stew, sloppy joe, spaghetti, Fruit juice, Jelliies & jams, Canned fruits, Diapers (sizes 4,5 & 6), Cans or jars of spaghetti sauce, Feminine products, Toiletries & Toilet paper, Detergent & hand soap

Anything you can donate is very much appreciated

The Fayette Samaritans and Real Life Center are local non-profit organizations offering temporary assistance to less fortunate citizens of Fayette County.

The Fayette Samaritans is a non-profit Christian ministry that serves those in need in Fayette County. They provide temporary support in the means of food, clothing and financial support for selective emergency needs. Support for this agency comes from several churches, and local citizens. Office expenses do not exceed .06 percent for this organization, as it is run by several volunteers.

The Real Life Center is also a non-profit and helps provide citizens in need by offering several assistance programs. Some of the programs offered are: general assessment counseling, financial counseling, financial assistance of selective emergency needs, mentoring, food donations or food pantry, daily bread (weekly distribution of bread and pastries), clothing assistance, auto repairs, donations of furniture and household items, career help, and networking and referral services. It is run by several staff members and volunteers that are vital to the organization.

Collection points for the drive this Saturday will be Wal-Mart at the Fayette Pavilion, Kroger at Banks Station in Fayetteville, K-Mart in Peachtree City, Kroger at Braelinn in Peachtree City, and Kroger at Kedron in Peachtree City.

For more information, or to make a donation please visit http://summerharvestforfayettecounty.blogspot.com.

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