Local partners and community members will join the South Plains Food Bank for the 6th Annual Summer of Sharing. This annual food drive has evolved into many events held throughout the summer to assist the South Plains Food Bank in restocking its shelves during what is traditionally, the lowest inventory time of the year.
In 2010, the South Plains Food Bank issued an SOS emergency food drive in partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. At the time, bare shelves filled the Food Bank and freezer box production placed on halt. In this critical time of need, the community stepped up and quickly restocked the Food Bank shelves.
Summers are a difficult time for the Food Bank. “We want to be proactive,” says Chief Executive Officer, David Weaver. “We are calling on our community members, churches, local businesses and corporations to remember that hunger doesn’t take a vacation. Please support our local Summer of Sharing events this year.”
Organizations have come together to spearhead a summer packed with ways people can get involved in helping the Food Bank through the summer months. The Food Bank is hoping to raise 125,000 pounds of food and $25,000 during this year’s Summer of Sharing. This is a great opportunity for the community to join together this summer for the Summer of Sharing Food Drive because “Hunger Does Not Take a Vacation!”
The community has the opportunity to donate by purchasing five-dollar pre-filled grocery bags at any Lowe’s Supermarket. Barrels will also be available at each Lowe’s Supermarket store to make individual food donations. Monetary donations can be made through spfb.org or by texting “ishare” to 41444.
Some of the events involved with the Summer of Sharing include:
- Thursday, May 28, 2015: Press Conference for Summer of Sharing Food Drive.
South Plains Food Bank, 4612 Locust Ave., 10:00 a.m. - Monday, June 8, 2015: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be delivering a semi-truck load of donated food.
South Plains Food Bank, 4612 Locust Ave., 11:00 a.m. - Wednesday, June 10, 2015: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is sponsoring “Potato Sacking” to sack 50,000 lbs. of donated potatoes. The entire community is invited to participate.
South Plains Food Bank, 4612 Locust Ave., 6 p.m. - Monday, June 8 through Thursday, June 18, 2015: Covenant Health System is sponsoring the Save Our Ship Food Drive. Lowe’s Supermarkets.
- Monday, June 29, 2015: Lowe’s Super Market is sponsoring the Summer of Sharing Finale Christmas in June—The entire community is invited. Lowe’s Supermarket, 19th and Frankford, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sort donated food, last chance to purchase pre-made Lowe’s Supermarket grocery bags, and free hot dogs provided by Plains Capital Bank.
- Monday, May 25 through Tuesday, June 30, 2015: Purchase a $5 Lowe’s pre-made grocery bag (each bag contains approximately $12 worth of food) at any Lowe’s Supermarket or ACE Hardware and all of the food will go to the South Plains Food Bank.
- Monday, May 25 through Tuesday, June 30, 2015: Purchase a $2 reusable grocery bag at any Lowe’s Supermarket or Plains Capital Bank location and all proceeds will go to support the work of the South Plains Food Bank.
For questions or information regarding the Summer of Sharing and/or related events please contact SPFB Communications and Digital Marketing Manager Danielle Robertson at 806-763-3003 ext. 15.
(Press release from South Plains Food Bank)