Tift Area Food Bank needs donations - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Tift Area Food Bank needs donations

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TIFTON, GA (WALB) -

Food banks are busier than ever gathering food to meet growing demand during the holidays.

But the Tift Area Food Bank is struggling to help those in need and even keep their doors open.

They are desperately in need of donations and a new building to run the food bank.

The Food Bank is expecting a big crowd of people next week for Thanksgiving, well over last week's 85 recipients.

With expectations like that, and donations down, they don't know if they can stay afloat.

Many of the shelves at the Tift area Food Bank are nearly bare.

"With the economy like it is, we are having more and more people come in but our funds are low so that is why we are in dire need," said Eugene Burns, Tift Area Food Bank VP.

While the need for food is at an all time high, donations are down.

"Our donations are less than $200 a month," said Burns.

But they are not just dealing with donation issues.

They are also looking for a new location for the food bank because the current building just no longer works.

"We don't have any heat and it is cold right now, and we need a better building, we are in the process of trying to find a better building where we can have heat and air, a sufficient place to house the food we get," said Nancy Holt, Tift Area Food Bank President.

Veverlean Thomas has been coming to the Tift area Food Bank for more than 15 years, but only comes when she really needs the items.

"A lot of people don't have themselves, people don't have like they had years ago, it is a lot harder now," said Veverlean Thomas, Food Bank Recipient.

She says the people in the community would be devastated if the food bank had to close.

"We would be a whole lot of hungry people, this place has been open for so long everybody depends on it," said Thomas.

"Unless we can get a nicer building and start getting in some donations, we are going to be forced to close down," said Burns.

And closing would mean many families would be left hungry for the holidays.

The food bank is now only serving the community one day per week, on Fridays.

If you are interested in donating to the Tift Area Food Bank all donations can be sent to

Tiftarea Food Bank

P.O. Box 7312

Tifton, GA 31793