Lieutenant Pace and Captain Allen unload and sort boxes of bananas for food drive.
Photo Submitted by Myeisha Gibson.
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office partnered with Farm Share on Thursday for a community food drive.
Cars lined up and wrapped the LCSO headquarters for several blocks as area residents hoped to receive free food and goods to help them in their time of need. The event started at 8 a.m. and continued until the food ran out.
Deputies, Farm Share employees and volunteers came together to distribute perishable and non-perishable goods to the community. Farm Share hosts a food drive quarterly in Leon and Gadsden counties.
Farm Share is based in Miami and was established in 1991. Its mission is to alleviate hunger and malnutrition by recovering and distributing fresh and nutritious food to those who need it most.
“The first car arrived around 2:30a.m,” Shonda Knight, a spokeswoman for LCSO, said.
Residents were encouraged to get in line early and send one representative per family (maximum of three) per vehicle to receive up to three bags of free goods. For those without a vehicle, a walk-up station was provided.
“In these bags we have frozen chicken, milk, blankets, non-perishables, toiletries, and plenty other goods that are very beneficial,” said Knight.
The Farm Share truck along with the volunteers arrived at LCSO at 6 a.m. The truck contained 15 tons of food and other goods.
Department of Juvenile Justice associate, Christina Ash, said, “What I enjoy most about this event is watching those in need leave with satisfaction. It’s the simple things such as being able to give back in the community I live in that keep me going.”
Volunteers and law enforcement officers eagerly worked the food drive while gaining the opportunity to use this event as a form of service.
“I’m not only here because it is a part of my job; I didn’t have to be here,” Sgt. Greg Sellars said. “I’m here because it is the best way to serve and be seen. Being here today gives me assurance that I am helping someone in need and more importantly slowing crime,” he said.