AgGeorgia Farm Credit is launching its second company-wide member and employee food drive, which will be held during the entire month of August. The “Lending a Hand” campaign will benefit the regional food banks which serve the communities in which AgGeorgia has branch locations. Last year the drive raised almost 19,000 pounds for the food banks, and this year AgGeorgia hopes to surpass that goal.

Donations will be accepted at any of AgGeorgia Farm Credit’s branch locations throughout the month. Its 20 branches are located in Cartersville, Chatsworth, Clarkesville, Cordele, Dublin, Gainesville, LaFayette, Montezuma, Moultrie, Nashville, Ocilla, Perry, Quitman, Rome, Royston, Sandersville, Sylvester, Tifton, Washington, and Waynesboro. Donations must be non-perishable, unopened, and in their original packaging; items in glass jars are discouraged due to the risk of breakage.

People may also participate in the event online through the virtual food drive at http://aggeorgia.com/food-drive.html. Each $5 donated can help provide 20 meals which will feed a family in need for a week. Donations collected through each branch office will be directed to the Feeding America food banks serving their region.

"The Georgia Food Bank Association's 8 regional food banks are excited to be working with AgGeorgia Farm Credit's 120 employees and nearly 4,000 members throughout the state,” said Danah Craft, Executive Director for the Georgia Food Bank Association. “These funds come at a critical time at the end of summer and will help the food banks serve the 1 in 5 Georgian's who need food assistance."

“Farmers have always felt a strong sense of duty to end hunger, and we share their vision,” said Corey Cottle, Director of Marketing for AgGeorgia Farm Credit. “We are delighted to partner with the Georgia Food Bank Association for this food drive, as their volunteers and employees wake up every day with the same mission as many of our members…to feed the people of this state.”