Fayette Samaritans, one of the main food banks serving Fayette County, was down to a two to three day supply of food for local needy families and refugees from Hurricane Katrina Wednesday morning.
Companies that normally provide the Samaritans with food have been instructed to divert the food to victims of the hurricane, said Charlie Charping, administrator of the all-volunteer Samaritans.
Money donations are crucial at times like these, so the Samaritans can buy food thats lacking on their shelves, Charping said. Checks can be made out to Fayette Samaritans and sent to P.O. Box 1071, Fayetteville, Ga., 30214. Contributions are fully tax deductible because the charity is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Tuesday, 22 families were served in the 9 a.m.-noon time period the agency is open at 126 Hickory Road, just south of New Hope Road at the rear of the Fayetteville Christian Church campus. Food donations can be dropped off during that time period Monday through Friday.
The Samaritans have a special need for the following items:
Peanut butter and jelly, canned meat and tuna, canned fruit, beans and rice, pasta and sauce, fruit juices, personal care products, new packages of mens underwear and of course, cash donations to help buy necessary food and products that arent donated.
Only 1.4 percent of the Samaritans budget is dedicated to expenses such as utilities, Charping said. And local stores partner with the Samaritans so they can stretch the dollars used to purchase food, typically ground beef, ground turkey and chicken that arent normally donated, he added.