Food banks in Marion County are supplied through generous donations from the community.
The 10th annual “Bring the Harvest Home” food drive was held Friday at Ocala’s Downtown Square.
Donations poured in from the community and the drive ended with the collection of nearly 21,000 pounds of food, baby items and toiletries.
An impressive number of monetary donations totaling nearly $160,000 were also received. These funds will be used to improve the operations and inventory of each food pantry that participated in the donation drive.
County Commissioner Kathy Bryant shared her excitement saying, “We’ve surpassed everything we’ve done at Ocala Downtown Square. We ended up with a total of 20,976 pounds of food, non-perishable food, baby items and toiletries that will be shared between the Salvation Army, Brother’s Keeper and interfaith emergency services.
During the event, the Ocala Fire Department, Ocala Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Fire Department, Belleview Police Department and Dunnellon Police Department all lent a hand.
Last year’s event saw physical and monetary donations combine for nearly £17,000 for meals for less fortunate members of the community.
Bryant added, “This community is one of the most generous I have ever seen. It’s one of the things that makes us so special.