Polk County residents are invited to help collect 1,000 pounds of much-needed food for two local food pantries during the upcoming MLK Day of Service Half-Ton Food Drive on Jan. 20, according to Willie White, president of the Democratic Club of Polk County.
“We set this 1,000-pound goal because food insecurity is great in Polk County,” White said.
The Democratic Club and the Democratic Party of Polk County have teamed up for the second consecutive year to co-sponsor this countywide, “open to all” food drive with drop-off locations in Livingston at 3626 Hwy. 190 West and in Corrigan at 100 W. Front St. These locations will have volunteers on hand to receive donations at drive-through and drive-up stations to make drop offs quick and easy, White said. The locations will be staffed from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Polk County Democratic Party Chair Ann Turney said only non-perishable foods should be donated, and that a few categories in bulk or case amounts are preferable to individual items. Health and hygiene items and individually wrapped toilet paper are also needed.
Organizers said volunteers and those who donate are highlighting the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by celebrating his birthday with “acts of service.” The organizers also said they welcome young volunteers to help with receiving the donated items. Volunteers may call 936-967-2446 to sign up.
Monetary donations are also acceptable, White said.
“Checks for food may be made out to the Democratic Club of Polk County and should have ‘Food Drive’ in the memo section so that the donation gets properly routed,” he said.
The Southeast Texas Food Bank has noted that over 3,000 Polk County children are experiencing food insecurity. Addressing these statistics, White said that local charities provide food assistance to hundreds of Polk County families weekly.
“MannaFest Food Pantry, for example, provides food assistance to more than 500 client families per month, and the Corrigan Food Pantry provides food assistance to 160 families a month. Everything collected through this drive will go to these two organizations,” White said.
