THEN

A group of downtown Columbia churches from several denominations, recognizing the growing need of many of our citizens with no income or low income, coordinated their efforts to start a food bank.

In the spring of 1981 we opened in the unheated garage section of the Columbia Housing Authority on Harden Street. The volunteers were challenged with devising an inventory system, soliciting donations from wholesalers, distributors and grocery stores, and setting up schedules for distribution.

We also lobbied the legislature and helped pass a bill called the Good Samaritan bill, which eliminated liability by large food donors for their contributions. There were two Catholic nuns who were very impressive and effective and gave courage to many of us to take a stand. We wrote letters to our legislators and appeared en masse when the bill was presented. This bill helped large distributors to be willing to give to the food bank damaged cartons that were being thrown away.

I had read a short notice in the newspaper that the food bank (then un-named) was looking for volunteers. This seemed like something that would make a worthwhile contribution to people in need as well as use some of my skills. Thus began what turned out to be fifteen years of participation with what became known as Harvest Hope Food Bank.

Within the first year, the Housing Authority made available to us the front part of their building for our use, since they had built a new building next door. Now we had heat and air! This location was at the corner of Harden and Calhoun streets, a convenient location for many of the clients we served. After some years, the community built us a new building next door, which served us well until we outgrew it and moved to a large building on George Rogers Boulevard which had been the ETV facility. Some years later, after I had "retired", Harvest Hope moved out on Shop Road to a larger facility, where they are now located.

In the early days, some of us did a lot of different jobs. I was used as a secretary to write letters for a retired businessman who solicited large food chains and distributors for donations. After my typing I would help serve the clients with the bags of groceries or work in the back bagging the food. Sometimes the donations needed cleaning. For example, if one or two bottles of tomato ketchup in a carton broke, the whole carton would be messed up. All of us shared the responsibility of keeping the office clean and attractive.

Eligibility for being served was the requirement that they have a referral from an agency or church and that they show identification of some kind. The plan evolved into requiring a Social Security number for all adults in the household. This meant that an index card with all that information was kept on file and the Food Bank volunteer, answering the call from a referring agency, would check the file to see if they were eligible. They could be served once every three months. By the time all of this was put on computer, there were over ten thousand cards.

At one time, volunteers picked up leftover food from restaurants and took it to shelters and places feeding children. There were also men who picked up bread being discarded from grocery stores and they would deliver it to the Food Bank for distribution.

My volunteer time there was very fulfilling and allowed me to realize that I still could make a contribution with my skills, time and efforts. Association with the other volunteers was a real pleasure. During the fifteen years that I was there we grew in effectiveness and numbers served, as well as learned better ways of doing things.

NOW

Visit to Harvest Hope Food Bank on September 18, 2009

My friend and I had an appointment for a tour of Harvest Hope Food Bank. When we arrived, one of the first things I noticed was the parking lot, filled with cars. Parking was always a problem at the George Rogers Boulevard location. Inside, we were at the window where those people seeking food were greeted by a volunteer and information concerning the size of the family was given. Our tour was conducted by the director of volunteers and she took us into the various rooms of the food bank, such as the one where volunteers were loading bags and boxes with whatever food was available. It was good to see some fresh vegetables, milk and bread in addition to the canned goods. Up to 200 families a day are served, whereas 60 a day was a crisis back in the 90's. This food comes from grocery stores, wholesalers, large distributors, farmers and individuals who share from their vegetable gardens. Harvest Hope is part of a nationwide network, Feeding America, which also sends surpluses from their sources around the country.

We then went into a room with the bulk supplies for the Emergency Food Program which is the service described above. Then we saw the very large refrigerated room and the smaller (though still large) freezer room. In the early days of the food bank, cooler and freezer space was very badly needed, at first non-existent and later limited in size. This is very encouraging to know that these types of food can be received and given to those who need it.

There is some food provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This means that information about the recipient family's income must be obtained, as there are limits for service. Nationally the poverty level is $21,000 for a family of four. The food bank's level is $33,000. Even if the family doesn't meet the requirement, food other than USDA may be given when the need is convincing.

Harvest Hope Food Bank serves eight counties in the Emergency Food Program and provides food to over 400 agencies in twenty counties. These agencies pay a very low fee to help cover the cost of distribution.

Contributions have been affected by the recent recession but people continue to give and to volunteer their time. The United Way as well as large companies and businesses promote volunteerism by their employees. Monetary contributions are very important to the food bank as well. For every dollar given, ninety-eight cents is used for food and one dollar buys ten pounds of food.

My impressions from our visit are that the food bank is doing a good job, growing in numbers of volunteers and, as usual, still very much in need of contributions, especially financial. The biggest surprise to me was the size of the spaces for food storage. The Columbia area can be proud of their support of this organization.

To volunteer at Harvest Hope Food Bank, call 803-254-4432 or visit their website.

To view the locations of the Harvest Hope Food Bank throughout its history, click the Google Map below:

View Harvest Hope Food Bank in a larger map