By Stephanie Springer - | email
Fitzgerald, GA (WALB) - As more people struggle to make ends meet due to the economic downturn, many have to reach out for help.
Many people waiting in line have their own share of hardships. For some it's a recent job loss, for others its a cut in pay.
For Fitzgerald Resident James Martin, it's figuring out how to take care of his sick wife while trying to make ends meet.
"My wife has had breast cancer and she's had it for about 5 years now and she's in her last days so it's a little hard for us right now so we need all the help we can get," he said.
Martin joined dozens of people morning outside the Fitzgerald Church of God.
Volunteers with the Food Bank of Southwest Georgia handed out over 1,000 of pounds of food to hungry families. Workers spent the day loading up cars with boxes of beans, grits, rice and a frozen turkey.
But due to the economy, the Food Bank has had to ramp up its efforts by visiting as many counties more often.
"We used to do on average one every two months, or less," said Brett Kirkland, President of Food Bank of SWGA. "In the month of June we've done eight, in the month of July we've got about seven scheduled."
June was their busiest month yet, distributing food for 500 families in southwest Georgia. "When we distribute the food and get in front of the people who are in need where we see how bad it is out here there are a lot of people jobless and struggling," said Kirkland.
"If you need help don't let your pride stand in the way and go get the help because every little bit helps," sad Martin.
Martin says he is thankful he is able to alleviate some of his of his daily stresses, because the last thing he wants to think about is how he is going to provide food for his family.
The Food Bank of southwest Georgia provides food to families in 20 counties in southwest Georgia. Food giveaways are also scheduled for Donalsonville, Blakely and Cordele.
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